• Aggression and Competition in Captive Western Lowland Gorillas and Their Wild Counterparts

      Dixon, Megan K.; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2015-12)
      Studies of behavior in wild and captive Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) populations have exposed patterns of aggressive and affiliative behavior within family groups. Studies such as those of Stokes (2004), Stoinski et al., (2009), Robbins et al., (2004), as well as others have shown the types of situations, dominance patterns, and social dynamics that lead to aggressive and affiliative behaviors between individuals. This study examined the gorillas of Habitat Three, particularly the adult females, housed in Zoo Atlanta to see the types of aggressive behaviors exhibited, the situations they occur in, and the patterns of this population, looking for similarities and differences to observations of wild gorilla populations. Descriptive analyses show noncontact aggression occurs more frequently than contact aggression within this population. Results of one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) show there is no significant difference in the amount of aggression concerning the conditions of food presence and proximity to the silverback. More data is needed to retest these conditions within Zoo Atlanta’s population. The present paper also compares the behaviors, specifically aggressive and affiliative, of this family group to research regarding wild western lowland gorilla groups.
    • An Analysis of the Economy of Greece

      Mack, Michaela; Department of Mathematics (Augusta University, 2018-05)
    • Anion Monitoring of Rae's Creek by Ion Chromatography

      Walton, Amberly; Department of Chemistry and Physics (Augusta University, 2018-12)
      Golf courses generally require large amounts of fertilizer to maintain their course appearance. Fertilizer is a source of phosphate- and nitrogen-based compounds. These compounds can have negative effects on aquatic life if there are large amounts introduced to the surface water. The effect of a golf course on anion concentrations in Rae’s Creek was studied using ion chromatography. Over the course of one year, the following anions were tracked: nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, phosphate, bromide, and chloride. The concentrations of the anions were high enough to allow quantitative measurements and changes were observed, but the concentrations remained below EPA guidelines for streams.
    • The Application of Low-Cost, Close-Range Photogrammetry in Dentistry

      Patel, Mohit; Mettenburg, D.; Biological Sciences, Restorative Sciences (Augusta University Libraries, 2020-05-05)
      This item presents the abstract for a poster presentation at the 21st Annual Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference.
    • Aquatic Therapy Strength Training Benefits for the Leg Strength of Children with Cerebral Palsy

      Quick, Elizabeth; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2015-05)
      The purpose of this thesis is to track the aspects and results of applying aquatic therapy strength training exercises to children with cerebral palsy and determine whether or not the therapy is beneficial for leg strengthening in comparison to a usual physical therapy clinical setting. The experiment was carried out twice a week, for 12 weeks. Two groups of six children with cerebral palsy participated in the experiment, in which they were administered leg strengthening exercises.
    • Atypical Magnesium Requirements in a Phyllite Population of Rare Plant Species, Pediomelum Piedmontatum

      Zimmerman, Matthew; Biological Sciences (Augusta University Libraries, 2020-05-04)
      This item presents the abstract for an oral presentation at the 21st Annual Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference.
    • Bionanofabrication: engineering biomaterials for in situ remodeling and drug delivery

      Batt, Carl A.; Cornell University (2016-02-26)
      The bionanofabrication of smart materials presents opportunities in fields as far ranging as food science and medicine. The tools of molecular biology allow for the in vivo and in vitro production of unique biomolecules enabling not only the direct(ed) creation of novel proteins but also catalysts that can then produce other non-protein polymers. An example is the biodegradable polymer, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which is normally produced by a number of different bacteria. It is synthesized through a series of three enzymes but only one, polyhydroxalkanoate synthetase (PHAC) is required for the conversion of a soluble CoA-substrate into an insoluble hydrophobic polymer. Our laboratory has pioneered the in situ formation of PHA by engineering PHAC and targeting it toward fabricated and native substrates. Once on-site polymer formation can be initiated by introducing the substrate. Alternatively polymers can be formed in vitro and then delivered to the target site. Beyond the localized impact by the introduction of significant quantities of a highly hydrophobic polymer, PHA can also be used as a vehicle for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and once there release their cargo through its normal degradation process. Applications to cancer therapy and in situ engineering of microvasculature will be presented.
    • Bisphenol A (BPA) Contamination in Yellow-Bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta)

      McDavid, Kayla; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2017-05)
      Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a chemical that is recognized for being in a variety of consumer products, particularly to make plastic food containers and drink bottles (Makinwa, 2015). It was estimated in 2011 that about 5.5 million metric tons of BPA have been consumed globally (Flint, 2011). This is cause for alarm because it is classified as moderately toxic to aquatic life by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Flint, 2011). BPA can negatively affect gene expression and hormone pathways. It is also known for triggering sex changes during embryonic stages in turtles and caiman (Flint, 2011). A major source of BPA is littering of plastics, which enter ponds and wetlands and may become incorporated into the food web of aquatic species (Campani, 2013). When plastic products degrade, BPA is leached into the soil and can potentially flow into neighboring waterways (Makinwa, 2015). Animals acquire BPA through direct ingestion of plastic particles or through consuming plants or animals that have accumulated BPA. Previous research has shown that Bisphenol A acts as an endocrine disruptor on painted turtles, caiman, fish, and amphibians (Jandegian, 2015). It mimics the hormone estrogen, which at sufficient concentrations, may cause developing male embryos to produce female reproductive tissue. Snails have been observed to undergo “superfeminization” when exposed to about 1 μg/L (Flint, 2011). This superfeminization caused “additional female organs, enlarged sex organs, and oviduct deformities” (Flint, 2011). There is evidence that Bisphenol A causes feminization in most animals that have been studied, although the mechanism has yet to be found (Krüger, 2005). Turtles are often used as environmental indicators because they are omnivorous and tend to be long-lived. Their longevity makes them more likely than short-lived species to bioaccumulate toxins.If BPA concentrations are high in turtles, then it is likely that humans have absorbed a certain amount that may contribute to unknown biological consequences. Research has shown that there are links between this contaminant and the rates of cancer development, obesity, and the probability of a child developing neurological problem when exposed. According to the analysis of 315 urine samples “93% of people had detectable levels of BPA” (Kinch, 2015). The objective of my research was to quantify BPA concentrations in Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) and their habitat. Blood samples were collected from the subcarapacial or dorsal coccygeal vein of each turtle captured. Additionally, soil samples were taken at the edge of the water. Study Areas Blood samples were collected from 9 turtles trapped at Reed Creek Park. Additional samples were collected from 22 turtles from Brick Pond Park. Reed Creek Park is in Martinez, Georgia (33.53375598, -82.08555523) (Google maps, 2016). Brick Pond Park is in North Augusta, South Carolina (33.4874273, -81.9786814) (Google maps, 2016). Ten soil samples were collected at each location. The soil samples were analyzed for BPA quantities and compared with the amounts of BPA that were recorded from the blood samples taken from the captured turtles. [Introduction]
    • Blinding Crystals: Monosodium Urate Crystals and Diabetic Retinopathy

      Amanamba, Udochukwu; Department of Psychological Sciences (Augusta University, 2020-12)
      Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes and the main cause of blindness among adults of working age. Previous studies have established that high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) promote chronic sub-clinical inflammation which in turn causes retinal tissue injury and development of DR. It has also been shown that increased levels of uric acid, a by-product of the purine metabolism, generates crystals of monosodium urate (MSU) which could contribute to retinal inflammation and to the development of DR. My honors thesis project focused on investigating the molecular basis of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR), specifically how MSU stimulates sterile inflammation in retinal blood vessels cells and in other retinal cells through the induction of the NLRP3-inflammasome. Human retinal endothelial (HuREC) and Human retinal epithelial cells (HuRPE) were treated with clinically relevant doses of MSU (6mg/dL) or high glucose (HG 25mM) or a combination of both. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome constituents such as IL-1, NLRP3 protein, Toll-like receptor (TLR4), Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) were monitored using Western blotting analysis and ELISA assay. Morphometric analysis and ANOVA statistical approaches were employed to analyze the data. The results obtained showed that HuREC are more responsive to MSU alone than HuRPE. However, in all conditions, MSU significantly potentiated the production of inflammatory constituents of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Overall, the results of my studies support MSU as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of DR. This suggests that uricemia should be monitored in diabetic patients and hypouricemic drugs could be helpful in combating DR and vision loss in diabetic patients.
    • CBD Analysis in Oils and Foods

      Foley, Joanna; Department of Chemistry and Physics (Augusta University, 2020-05)
      Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a very prominent topic in the medical community and popular marketplace because of its widespread consumer use. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other similar molecules can be present in commercial CBD products, so testing is necessary to determine the presence of the CBD. Existing methods of analysis for CBD oils are only known on GC-FID (gas chromatography – flame ionization detector) and these methods are not optimal for the wide variety of commercial CBD products available. Thus, a GC-MS (mass spectroscopy) method, based on a published GC-FID method, was created to optimize the detection of CBD because not only separation but also identification can be obtained. This method can be applied to a wide variety of foods, gummies, and other items that may contain CBD and similar molecules. The method has been optimized by varying GC column temperature, and sample preparation, to find a balance between analysis time, analyte detection, and resolution for the various types of cannabinoid molecules present in commercial CBD oil samples. The optimized method was able to determine that a 1:3 ratio of oil to solvent gave optimal signal of all CBD oils tested. The optimized method was then tested on a variety of commercial and self-prepared CBD edibles to determine that CBD was still present and was not degraded into THC.
    • Characterization of 5HT1B and 5HT7 using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer

      Adams, Elizabeth; Department of Chemistry and Physics (Augusta University, 2019-05)
      GPCRs play a major role in cell signaling through their interactions with heterotrimeric G proteins. In conventional models of GPCR-G protein coupling, agonist binding promotes a conformational change within the receptor, which then associates with G proteins, facilitating the exchange of GDP for GTP. GTP-bound G proteins dissociate from the receptor and exert their effects on downstream signaling molecules. Previous studies suggest that serotonin 5HT7 receptors associate with Gs heterotrimers prior to agonist binding, and that 5HT7-Gs complexes dissociate after the G protein is activated. Here we study this unconventional mode of coupling using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between luciferase-tagged 5HT7 receptors and Gs heterotrimers labeled with Venus. Our results confirm that 5HT7 receptors interact with inactive (GDP-bound) Gs heterotrimers in the absence of an agonist, and that this interaction is stabilized by the inverse agonist methiothepin. Stimulation with the endogenous agonist serotonin (5HT) decreased BRET between 5HT7 receptors and Gs, indicating that the activation of the receptor leads to 5HT7-Gscomplex dissociation. Interestingly, Gs activation was not required for complex dissociation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 5HT7 receptors couple to Gs heterotrimers via an unconventional mechanism involving ligand-sensitive complexes of receptors and inactive Gs.
    • Characterization of a Cyclic Peptide (ADO5) as a Novel Inhibitor of the Hsp90 Chaperoning Machine

      Fang, Wayne; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2020-05)
      Protection of oncogenic proteins is the foundation of many hallmarks of cancer. Based on this, hsp90 inhibitors have emerged as a potentially potent strategy for cancer treatment. The clinical efficacy of the earlier Hsp90 inhibitors remains unsatisfactory, in part due to their induction of heat shock response and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in cancer cells. To identify alternative therapeutic agents without these effects, we have developed a cell-free high-throughput screen (HTS) platform based on the folding of progesterone receptor (PR) by the core components of the Hsp90 chaperoning machine. During our initial screening of 175 natural products from North African medicinal plants, we discovered the cyclic peptide AD05 as a novel Hsp90 inhibitor. AD05 has shown a powerful antitumor activity against various cancer cell lines including HeLa, Hs578T, MDA-MB231, MDA-MB453, E0771, THP1, and U937. Western blot analysis revealed that AD05 destabilizes Hsp90 client proteins without inducing heat shock response as indicated by lack of upregulation of Hsp70, Hsp40 and Hsp27. Remarkably, AD05 does not induce apoptosis but rather triggers autophagy in various cell lines.
    • Characterization of Potential Proton Sensitive G Protein-Coupled Receptors

      Nam, Alisha J.; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2020-05)
      G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that can stimulate an intracellular signaling pathway following activation by a ligand. According to the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) database, GPR4, GPR65, and GPR132 are Class A orphan GPCRs with protons reported as their putative endogenous ligand. Because these receptors are currently understudied, the purpose of our study was to investigate the interactions between GPR4, GPR65 and GPR132 and G protein subtypes (Gαs, Gαi, Gαq, and Gα12) as a function of pH. Using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), we studied the coupling between luciferase-tagged GPR receptors and fluorescent protein (Venus)-tagged heterotrimeric G proteins in response to changes in proton concentration. We found that all three receptors responded to pH changes. Upon extracellular response to pH changes, the receptors activate different G protein subtypes and thus, different signaling pathways: GPR4 activates all four G protein subtypes but has the strongest activation with Gαs; GPR65 activates all four subtypes; and GPR132 activates Gαi and weakly activates Gαq and Gα12. Identifying these receptors as true proton sensors leads the way in understanding the role they play in maintaining acid-base homeostasis and will be critical for the development of novel drugs combatting acidbase related disorders, such as ulcers and reflux esophagitis.
    • Chronic Treatment with Risperidone Modulates Molecular Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus

      Lalani, Ashish; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2016-12)
      Risperidone is a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug that is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and relieve irritability in autistic children. Antipsychotics are believed to work by modulating neurotransmission events such as the synaptic neurotransmitter-to-receptor interactions towards dopamine receptors to improve mood and behavior. Chronic treatment with risperidone may negatively affect learning and memory through mechanisms mediated by epigenetic changes, such as histone post-translational modifications. We completed behavioral and molecular studies and found that the results of the behavioral studies of risperidone treated show that the rats treated with risperidone may be cognitively impaired. Our molecular work showed a trend of decreased total histone H3 protein throughout the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex and increased acetylation in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after chronic exposure to Risperidone for 180 days via drinking water, potentially indicative of a compensatory mechanism to increase protein expression, attempting to subsist with loss of total protein. If the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus are not working properly due to a disruption in cellular homeostasis, then there may be an issue with long and short term memory, eventually leading to impaired cognitive processes. Further studies will need to be done such as probing the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex for additional post-translational modifications to lysine residues such as methylation and expression of proteins associated with the molecular mechanisms that underlie memory function in other parts of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus to develop a full story of the chronic effects of risperidone.
    • Creating a Drug Sensitive Strain of Pichia Pastoris by Deleting Putative Multi-Drug Transport Protein Transcription Factors

      Jones, Preston Dimitri; Department of Chemistry and Physics (Augusta University, 2015-05)
      Commonly known as baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a strain of yeast that has been extensively studied genetically. In S. cerevisiae, the expression of multi-drug transport proteins (MDTPs) is found to be under the control of transcription factors, PDR1 and PDR3. Deletion of these genes in S. cerevisiae leads to decreased expression of MDTPs and decreased efficiency in drug export. Mutant strains of this yeast can be used in experiments involving the introduction of drugs into the yeast. Many experiments require a drug-protein interaction, and examining the results of this interaction is the subject of many genetic studies (1). These studies often involve the purification of the protein of interest after drug manipulation has occurred. Pichia pastoris is a better strain of yeast to use in these experiments because it grows to higher cell densities in fermentation than S. cerevisiae, providing more protein to work with. The goal of this project is to create a drug sensitive strain of P.pastoris by deletion of transcription factors that are homologous to those already characterized in S. cerevisiae. Putative MDTP transcription factors in P.pastoris have been determined via a blast search comparing the P. pastoris genome to S. cerevisiae. The results found three candidate genes, 0203, 0233, and 0322 that matched with the PDR1 and PDR3 genes in S.cerevisiae (2). We hypothesize that knocking out one or more of these genes will cause decreased expression of MDTPs in our mutant strain. Using homologous recombination and two selectable markers (ability to synthesize histidine and resistance to the toxin G418), we have successfully knocked out all 3 of these genes individually and have created two double knockout strains (0233-0322 and 0203-0233). Drug sensitivity assays in which we grew the mutant strains on plates with doxorubicin or camptothecin showed no enhancement in drug sensitivity (all strains were still able to grow when incubated with the toxin). Because we cannot measure the expression of MDTPs directly, we use this assay to indirectly relate the growth of the yeast in the presence of a drug to expression of MDTPs. The continued growth of our mutant yeast strains leads us to believe that all three genes must be deleted in a single strain to cause reduced MDTP expression. It is also possible that our deletion had an effect that was immeasurable by a growth assay.
    • Curcumin Conjugates as Potential Therapeutics for Breast Cancer

      Tran, Queen; Chemistry and Physics (Augusta University Libraries, 2020-05-04)
      This item presents the abstract for an oral presentation at the 21st Annual Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference.
    • The Cytotoxic Effects of Novel Persin Analogues on a Breast Cancer Cell Line

      Jones, Keri Leigh; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University Libraries, 2016-10)
      Roberts, Gurisik, Biden, Sutherland, and Butt (2007) and Butt et al. (2006) previously found that persin, a compound isolated from avocado leaves, can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in mammary epithelial cells of lactating mice in vivo and in certain human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. It has also been found that at higher doses, persin is cardiotoxic in mice and causes necrosis in mammary glands of lactating mammals (Oelrichs, 1995). Therefore, compounds with reduced mammary gland necrosis and cardiotoxicity but with the apoptotic effects of persin on breast cancer cells could be potential chemotherapeutic agents. Six novel analogues of persin have been synthesized to test their effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. Cells cultured from each cell line were treated with each analogue at varying concentrations to determine potential cytotoxic doses. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was determined by a commercially available Cell Proliferation Assay. Compounds that were significantly cytotoxic were tested for apoptotic activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three compounds were found to be cytotoxic to both cell lines, whereas the others had little to no impact on cell viability.
    • The Cytotoxic Effects Of Novel Persin Analogues on a Breast Cancer Cell Line

      Jones, Keri Leigh; Department of Biological Sciences (Augusta University, 2015-12)
      Roberts et al. (2007) and Butt et al. (2006) previously found that persin, a compound isolated from avocado leaves, can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in mammary epithelial cells of lactating mice in vivo and in certain human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. It has also been found that at higher doses, persin is cardiotoxic in mice and causes necrosis in mammary glands of lactating mammals (Oelrichs, 1995). Therefore, compounds with reduced mammary gland necrosis and cardiotoxicity but with the apoptotic effects of persin on breast cancer cells could be potential chemotherapeutic agents. Six novel analogues of persin have been synthesized to test their effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. Cells cultured from each cell line were treated with each analogue at varying concentrations to determine potential cytotoxic doses. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was determined by a commercially available Cell Proliferation Assay. Compounds that were significantly cytotoxic were tested for apoptotic activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three compounds were found to be cytotoxic to both cell lines, whereas the others had little to no impact on cell viability.