Effects Of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1, And Tumor Necrosis Factor On Adrenal Steroid Secretions,
2013
Brigham Young University
Effects Of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1, And Tumor Necrosis Factor On Adrenal Steroid Secretions, Brenda Mickelson Crawford, Dr. Allan M. Judd
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin- I (IL- 1) are cytokines released in response to infection in the body. One signal of infection is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer coat of grain negative bacterial cells. When bacteria die, LPS circulates in the blood and stimulates the immune system to release IL- 1, IL-6, and TNF. Septic shock is a syndrome in which LPS stimulates the release of large amounts of cytokines, causing adverse effects such as severe hypotension (low blood pressure), rashes, fever, edema, and finally multiple organ failure, including the heart.
Ovarian Cyst Development In Dairy Cattle,
2013
Brigham Young University
Ovarian Cyst Development In Dairy Cattle, Rachael G. Johnson, Dr. Roy W. Silcox, Dr. John S. Gardner
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Ovarian cysts are follicular structures greater than 25 mm in diameter present on an ovary for 10 days or more in the absence of a corpus luteum 1. These cysts halt the normal ovarian cycle and reduce the fertility of the female. Cysts occur in all domestic livestock species, as well as rats, humans, and other primates. The incidence of cystic ovarian disease (COD) in dairy cattle has a significant economic impact on the dairy industry since cows that produce the most milk are often those affected by COD.
The Study Of Genetic Mutations Resulting In Dwarfism,
2013
Brigham Young University
The Study Of Genetic Mutations Resulting In Dwarfism, Jonathon Jackson, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
As has been outlined, I am submitting this report of the accomplishments that have been made over the past semester in conjunction with the 1,000 dollar award that I received from your office.
Dirigent Domain-Containing Protein Is Part Of The Machinery Required For Formation Of The Lignin-Based Casparian Strip In The Root,
2013
Dartmouth College
Dirigent Domain-Containing Protein Is Part Of The Machinery Required For Formation Of The Lignin-Based Casparian Strip In The Root, Prashant S. Hosmani, Takehiro Kamiya, John Danku, Sadaf Naseer, Niko Geldner, Mary Lou Guerinot, David Salt
Dartmouth Scholarship
The endodermis acts as a "second skin" in plant roots by providing the cellular control necessary for the selective entry of water and solutes into the vascular system. To enable such control, Casparian strips span the cell wall of adjacent endodermal cells to form a tight junction that blocks extracellular diffusion across the endodermis. This junction is composed of lignin that is polymerized by oxidative coupling of monolignols through the action of a NADPH oxidase and peroxidases. Casparian strip domain proteins (CASPs) correctly position this biosynthetic machinery by forming a protein scaffold in the plasma membrane at the site where …
Tricellulin Deficiency Affects Tight Junction Architecture And Cochlear Hair Cells,
2013
University of Cincinnati
Tricellulin Deficiency Affects Tight Junction Architecture And Cochlear Hair Cells, Gowri Nayak, Sue I. Lee, Rizwan Yousaf, Stephanie E. Edelmann, Claire Trincot, Christina M. Van Itallie, Ghanshyam P. Sinha, Maria Rafeeq, Sherri M. Jones, Inna A. Belyantseva, James M. Anderson, Andrew Forge, Gregory I. Frolenkov, Saima Riazuddin
Physiology Faculty Publications
The two compositionally distinct extracellular cochlear fluids, endolymph and perilymph, are separated by tight junctions that outline the scala media and reticular lamina. Mutations in TRIC (also known as MARVELD2), which encodes a tricellular tight junction protein known as tricellulin, lead to nonsyndromic hearing loss (DFNB49). We generated a knockin mouse that carries a mutation orthologous to the TRIC coding mutation linked to DFNB49 hearing loss in humans. Tricellulin was absent from the tricellular junctions in the inner ear epithelia of the mutant animals, which developed rapidly progressing hearing loss accompanied by loss of mechanosensory cochlear hair cells, while …
Comparative Imaging Of Apoptotic Cell Membrane Morphology As Induced By Cytotoxic And Chemotherapeutic In S49 Lymphoma Cells By Confocal Microscopy,
2013
Brigham Young University
Comparative Imaging Of Apoptotic Cell Membrane Morphology As Induced By Cytotoxic And Chemotherapeutic In S49 Lymphoma Cells By Confocal Microscopy, Celestine Yeung, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
This project studied and documented the membrane changes of cancer cells undergoing the complex cellular process apoptosis, or programmed cell suicide. More specifically, the purpose of this project was to achieve a visual comparison between S49 mouse lymphoma cells experiencing apoptosis induced by a variety of cytotoxic and chemotherapeutic drugs. This comparison was to be accomplished through cell imaging obtained by merocyanine (MC) 540 fluorescence confocal microscopy. Imaging accomplished in this project is an extension of ongoing research conducted by Dr. Bell and fellow colleagues concerning the action of the secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzyme with respect to the effects …
Assessing Premature Arthritis In Sedc Mutant Mice,
2013
Brigham Young University
Assessing Premature Arthritis In Sedc Mutant Mice, Shaela Avery, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A recently discovered collagen gene mutation, spondyloepiphiseal dysplasia congenita (sedc), is found on the Col2a1 gene in both mice and humans. The mouse mutation is molecularly similar to the human SEDC mutation, which causes premature osteoarthritis. Studies, such as this one, in mouse models provide a greater understanding of this recently discovered mutation and help in finding ways to prevent osteoarthritis in humans.
Discovering The Mechanisms Of Limb Outgrowth,
2013
Brigham Young University
Discovering The Mechanisms Of Limb Outgrowth, Julie Lander, Dr. Jeffery Barrow
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Limb abnormalities are among the more common birth defects, occurring in up to 1 in 1,000 live births. Although limb development has been studied for decades, many mechanisms that regulate limb outgrowth remain currently unknown. The object of this study was to further elucidate some of the means by which the limb grows outward from the body and forms its distinctive shape.
Assessment Of Merocyanine Subpopulations In Dppc Vesicles Using Anisotropy And Lifetime Measurements,
2013
Brigham Young University
Assessment Of Merocyanine Subpopulations In Dppc Vesicles Using Anisotropy And Lifetime Measurements, Hannabeth Franchino, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
This study investigated the effects of lipid phase on monomer and dimer fluorescence of merocyanine 540. Emission and anisotropy spectra were assessed at multiple temperatures covering all four lamellar phases of pure dipalmityolphosphadtidylcholine. The probe segregates in the bilayer into two populations: monomers (emission maximum~585 nm) and dimers (emission maximum~621 nm).
Breast Cancer And Estrogens,
2013
Brigham Young University
Breast Cancer And Estrogens, Nick Candelaria
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Each year, more than 170,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone [1]. The risk for developing breast cancer can largely be attributed to the levels of exogenous and endogenous hormones in the body [2]. A hormone known to have drastic effect on cancer cell proliferation is estrogen, a regulator of cardiovascular, bone, and reproductive systems [3]. Estrogen is produced endogenously in the granulosa and theca cells of the ovary, and is found in a variety of forms: 17b-estradiol, estrone, and estriol. These estrogen subtypes are derived from cholesterol, and contain varying isoforms of 18 carbons …
Study Of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Induced Protein Channel Characteristics,
2013
Brigham Young University
Study Of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Induced Protein Channel Characteristics, Richard W. Hendershot, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Botulinum toxin is an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is the cause of botulism poisoning in poorly canned food. It is known that the toxin consists of two parts namely the larger Heavy Chain and the smaller Light Chain. Previous data suggests that the larger Heavy Chain forms channels in the cell membrane facilitating infection of the cell by the smaller Light Chain 1. It is also known that the Heavy Chain does indeed form channels in a bilayer system but channels formed by a single Heavy Chain are too small for the light chain to pass …
Effects Of General Anesthesia On Gap Junction Communication And Neural Circuit Oscillation Patterns In The Hippocampus,
2013
Brigham Young University
Effects Of General Anesthesia On Gap Junction Communication And Neural Circuit Oscillation Patterns In The Hippocampus, Jacob Blickenstaff, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Gap junctions play a critical role in controlling the rhythmic patterns of electrical oscillations in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. These ion channels which connect neighboring cells allow electrical signals to be conducted rapidly and in a synchronized manner over a localized area.
The Effect Of Botulinum Neurotoxin On Lipid Monolayers,
2013
Brigham Young University
The Effect Of Botulinum Neurotoxin On Lipid Monolayers, Eric R. Draper, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Botulinum neurotoxin is a neurotoxic protein that is made by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is one of the most deadly toxins in the world and is very commonly used in minute doses for medicinal purposes. It is therefore very important and beneficial to understand the mechanism by which the protein attaches to and injects its contents across cell membranes. In the protein there is a heavy chain and a light chain. These two chains work together in attaching to cells and injecting the light chain across the cell membrane. Through work with a Langmuir-Blodgett trough I have created lipid …
Trpv1 Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity In The Hippocampus: The Hot Pepper Receptor Effect,
2013
Brigham Young University
Trpv1 Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity In The Hippocampus: The Hot Pepper Receptor Effect, Douglas Bennion, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
As a new and untried undergraduate researcher, I aspired to do something to impact the lives of others through a modest research contribution of my own. While I have not lost that aspiration, I have been \ surprised to discover that, in fact, others have been the ones making the greater impact in my life. I offer my deepest thanks to Dr. Edwards for his endless patience in explaining time after time things that I should have already known. His impromptu diagrams will always be the first pictures my mind calls up in moments of explanatory need. I also express …
The Effects Of Cholesterol On Snare Induced Liposome Fusion,
2013
Brigham Young University
The Effects Of Cholesterol On Snare Induced Liposome Fusion, Brandon Forbes, Dr. Dixon Woodbury
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Throughout our lives we often take our wonderful nervous system for granted. We simply accept that it will do its job and help us to organize our thoughts into plans for the day, or research reports such as this. At a cellular level, the SNARE proteins mediate fusion of neurotransmitter containing vesicles to the plasma membrane of a neuron to release neurotransmitter. This exocytotic process is part of the orchestra of events that enable us to think. There are three main proteins of the SNARE protein complex with many other proteins playing a role as well. VAMP is associated with …
The Effects Of Prenatal Stress On The Levels Of 5 Alpha Reductase And Aromatase Activity In Pregnant Rats And Their Male And Female Offspring,
2013
Brigham Young University
The Effects Of Prenatal Stress On The Levels Of 5 Alpha Reductase And Aromatase Activity In Pregnant Rats And Their Male And Female Offspring, Steve Warren David, Dr. Reuben Ward Rhees
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Sexual differentiation of the brain is dependent on the presence or absence of androgen (testosterone) during prenatal development. Exposure to testosterone is essential for masculinization and defeminization of sexual behavior, and brain structural development. Present evidence suggests that the action of testosterone during brain development involves the metabolic conversion of testosterone in one of two ways. Testosterone is either converted to estradiol by the enzyme aromatase or to dihydrotestosterone by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. Testosterone and these two metabolites interact to regulate sexual differentiation of the brain. This project monitored the activity of both aromatase and 5 alpha reductase …
Characterizing A Novel Splicing Mechanism Associated With Intron 1 Of Chicken Prostaglandin G/H Synthase 2,
2013
Brigham Young University
Characterizing A Novel Splicing Mechanism Associated With Intron 1 Of Chicken Prostaglandin G/H Synthase 2, Matthew J. Cornish, Dr. Matthew L. Madsen, Dr. Daniel L. Simmons
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Organisms are equipped with an amazing ability to deal with situations which its environment may present. There are biochemical pathways responsible for monitoring and responding to environmental changes. Two examples are protein induction and inhibition. In the last few years, however, signaling through pre-mRNA splicing has been extensively explored.
Hormonal Regulation Of Brain Calcium-Binding Proteins During The Rat Estrous Cycle,
2013
Brigham Young University
Hormonal Regulation Of Brain Calcium-Binding Proteins During The Rat Estrous Cycle, Joseph M. Thompson, Dr. Edwin D. Lephart
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Calcium plays a major role in the body; it’s involved in bone growth, muscle contraction, and especially in the central nervous system (CNS) development and function. However, an overabundance of calcium leads to cell degeneration and eventually cell death, disrupting the formation of synapses. The body regulates excess calcium in the brain through calcium-binding proteins.
New Techniques For Studying Whirling Disease,
2013
Brigham Young University
New Techniques For Studying Whirling Disease, Nathan Bay, Dr. Richard A. Heckmann
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Despite drastic control and containment measures, the incidence of whirling disease is on the rise in the West. Whirling disease occurs when the trophozoite stage of Myxobolus cerebralis invades the cartilage and organ of equilibrium of salmonids. Pathological symptoms include tail chasing behavior, blackened tafls, and vertebral abnormalities. Pan of the reason for the spread of the disease is the high occurrence of subclinical infections in fish that are transported into areas formerly free of the disease.
Short-Term Effects Of Dietary Phytoestrogens On Calbindin, Calretinin, And Cox-2 In Specific Brain Sites Of Male Rats,
2013
Brigham Young University
Short-Term Effects Of Dietary Phytoestrogens On Calbindin, Calretinin, And Cox-2 In Specific Brain Sites Of Male Rats, Melanie A. Watson, Dr. Edwin D. Lephart
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cyclooxygenase, a bifunctional enzyme, converts arachadonic acid to prostaglandins that are important for maintaining critical physiological functions such as nervous system regulation, pain response, and specifically inflammation of tissues. The enzyme exists in two isoforms: COX-1 is constitutionally produced, playing important maintenance roles throughout the body. COX-2 is constitutionally produced in the brain, but is inducible and thus, highly regulated (2). Non-specific inhibition of COX reduces inflammation, but increases gastrointestinal ulcers due to a failure of mucus production by COX-1. Specific COX-2 inhibition controls the inflammatory response, but is not ulcergenic (1,3). At this time the effect of COX-2 regulation …
