Hibernacula Microclimate And White-Nose Syndrome Susceptibility In The Little Brown Myotis (Myotis Lucifugus),
Bucknell University
Hibernacula Microclimate And White-Nose Syndrome Susceptibility In The Little Brown Myotis (Myotis Lucifugus), Laura Grieneisen
Master’s Theses
The objective of this project was to determine the relationship between hibernacula microclimate and White-nose Syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease in bats. Microclimate was examined on a species scale and at the level of the individual bat to determine if there was a difference in microclimate preference between healthy and WNS-affected little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and to determine the role of microclimate in disease progression. There is anecdotal evidence that colder, drier hibernacula are less affected by WNS. This was tested by placing rugged temperature and humidity dataloggers in field sites throughout the eastern USA, experimentally determining the …
Role Of Cd4+Cd25+ Regulatory T Lymphocytes In Experimental Toxoplasmosis,
Western Kentucky University
Role Of Cd4+Cd25+ Regulatory T Lymphocytes In Experimental Toxoplasmosis, Sanjay Varikuti
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Toxoplasmosis is an important cause of congenital disease, and it is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The need for a reliable experimental model of this infection is crucial not only for achieving a better understanding of the patho-physiology of the disease, but also for developing better methods for evaluating new therapeutic regimens. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory lymphocytes in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. T regulatory (Treg) cells have been shown to play an important role in our immune system in …
Papain: A Novel Urine Adulterant.,
East Tennessee State University
Papain: A Novel Urine Adulterant., David Burrows
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The estimated number of employees in the United Stated screened annually for illicit drugs is approximately 20 million, with marijuana being the most frequently abused drug. Urine adulterants provide an opportunity for illicit drug users to obtain a false negative result on commonly used primary drug screening methods such as the Fluorescence Polarized Immunoassay (FPIA) technique. Typical chemical adulterants such as nitrites are easily detected or render the urine specimen invalid as defined in the proposed federal guidelines for specimen validity testing based on creatinine, specific gravity and pH. Papain is a cysteine protease with intrinsic ester hydrolysis capability. The …
Seasonal And Spatial Distribution Of The Plankton Of Barren Lake, Kentucky, With Special Reference To The Phytoplankton Community,
Western Kentucky University
Seasonal And Spatial Distribution Of The Plankton Of Barren Lake, Kentucky, With Special Reference To The Phytoplankton Community, John Wright
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
A study of the seasonal and spatial distribution of phytoplankters in relation to physio-chemical parameters and discharge regime was conducted in Barren Lake, Kentucky, a flood control reservoir with a dam equipped with a multilevel outlet, from February, 1970, through January, 1971. Paired samples were collected every two weeks from April through October and every three weeks from November through March. Samples were obtained from eight depths in the main pool area of the reservoir and from the tailwater. Reservoir discharge was primarily from the upper 3 m from April through September. At other times, discharge incorporated lower levels to …
Analysis Of Β8 Integrin In Neurogenesis And Neurovascular Homeostasis,
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Analysis Of Β8 Integrin In Neurogenesis And Neurovascular Homeostasis, Aaron K. Mobley
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Neurogenesis in the adult mouse brain occurs within the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle. In the SVZ, neural stem cells (NSC) reside in a specialized microenvironment, or vascular niche, consisting of blood vessels and their basement membranes. Most NSCs in the SVZ differentiate into progenitor cells, which further differentiate to generate neuroblasts, which then migrate from the SVZ to the olfactory bulbs (OB) along the rostral migratory stream (RMS). ECM-mediated adhesion and signaling within the vascular niche likely contribute to proper NSC self-renewal, survival, differentiation and neuroblast motility. The mechanisms that control these events are poorly understood. Previous …
Cip4 And Src In Promoting The Migration And Invasion Of Breast Cancers,
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Cip4 And Src In Promoting The Migration And Invasion Of Breast Cancers, Christina S. Pichot
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Cellular invasion represents a critical early step in the metastatic cascade, and many proteins have been identified as part of an “invasive signature.” The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src is commonly upregulated in breast cancers, often in conjunction with overexpression of EGFR. Signaling from this pathway stimulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and frequently involves proteins that regulate the cytoskeleton. My data demonstrates that inhibition of Src, using the small-molecule inhibitor dasatinib, impairs cellular migration and invasion. Furthermore, Src inhibition sensitizes the cells to the effects of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin resulting in dramatic, synergistic inhibition of proliferation with combination treatments. The …
Pcr-Ddge Comparison Of Fecal Bacteria From Captive And Wild Populations Of The Endangered San Esteban Island Chuckwalla (Sauromalus Varius),
Western Kentucky University
Pcr-Ddge Comparison Of Fecal Bacteria From Captive And Wild Populations Of The Endangered San Esteban Island Chuckwalla (Sauromalus Varius), Tina Kelley
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Most modern reptiles are carnivorous or insectivorous, whereas less than 2% of the >7,800 currently recognized species are considered to be herbivorous. Of these, herbivory is confined entirely to lizards; less than 3% of known lizard species eat significant amounts of plants. Most, if not all, herbivorous animals utilize a population of symbiotic microorganisms which can break down plant structural polymers. This study analyzes the bacterial populations from fecal/uric acid deposits of wild and captive samples of the endangered, herbivorous San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius: Iguanidae). Substrate and diet samples were also analyzed. Most studies of digestive symbionts use indirect …
Morphological Development Of The Axial Skeletons Of Esox Lucius And Esox Masquinongy (Euteleostei: Esociforms), With Comparisons In Developmental And Mineralization Rates.,
Loyola University Chicago
Morphological Development Of The Axial Skeletons Of Esox Lucius And Esox Masquinongy (Euteleostei: Esociforms), With Comparisons In Developmental And Mineralization Rates., Amanda Maria Burdi
Master's Theses
Developmental morphology of the axial skeleton of Esox lucius (i.e., northern pike and type species) and E. masquinongy (i.e., muskellunge) was investigated. More than 1,000 specimens were examined ranging in size from approximately 10 mm notochordal length (NL) post-hatching juveniles to over 80 mm standard length (SL) foraging sub-adults. Results show that regardless of individual variation, the relative sequence of bone formation and mineralization is consistent between the two species. This consistent developmental pattern enabled construction of an ontogenetic staging scheme of eight developmental stages, each characterized by one defining criterion. The first appearance in cartilage and/or first sign of …
The Effects Of Human/Wildlife Conflict On The Potential For Community-Based Ecotourism In The Kasigau Region Of Southeast Kenya,
Western Kentucky University
The Effects Of Human/Wildlife Conflict On The Potential For Community-Based Ecotourism In The Kasigau Region Of Southeast Kenya, Natalie Mountjoy
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Many believe community-based ecotourism (CBE) can assist in conservation efforts and community development; however, little research has been done to assess the potential of CBE in a specific region. As part of a large, long-term, international research project, I define three problematic areas that may impede successful CBE efforts in the Kasigau location of southeast Kenya: bushmeat utilization, community attitudes and wildlife abundance. Samples of meat purchased from butcheries and meat markets are identified to species using molecular analysis, community attitudes are ascertained via written social surveys and transect sampling methods are used to determine the relative abundance and diversity …
Dose-Response Effects Of Lithium On Spatial Memory In The Black Molly Fish.,
East Tennessee State University
Dose-Response Effects Of Lithium On Spatial Memory In The Black Molly Fish., Thomas Kyle Creson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lithium continues to be widely prescribed for the management of bipolar disease, yet cognitive impairment-related side effects promote noncompliance of the treatment regimen. We have introduced a novel animal model, the black molly fish, to study dose-response effects of lithium on short-term (STM) and long-term (LTM) memories. We developed a method utilizing capillary ion analysis (CIA), to measure plasma and brain lithium levels employed in our behavioral studies. We then developed an appropriate testing environment to ascertain learning capacities of these fish. We established that black mollies could adequately perform a forced-choice spontaneous alternation (SA) task used extensively in rodents …
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