The Effects of 3-Deazaguanine on Chick Embryo Fibroblasts and Rat Kidney Cells Infected with Temperature-Sensitive Mutant and Wild-Type Rous Sarcoma Viruses (open access)

The Effects of 3-Deazaguanine on Chick Embryo Fibroblasts and Rat Kidney Cells Infected with Temperature-Sensitive Mutant and Wild-Type Rous Sarcoma Viruses

Chick embryo fibroblasts and rat kidney cells infected in vitro with Rous Sarcoma viruses were treated with 3-deazaguanine (3-DG). The findings revealed that 3-DG inhibited virus-induced cellular transformation. Degree of inhibition is dependent on concentration and frequency of media change. 3-DG at the concentrations tested will not reverse transformed cells to the untransformed state and does not have marked effect on replication of viruses. Upon removal of 3-DG, its effect was shown to be reversible. Cell growth was generally retarded in medium containing 3-DG. When xanthosine and inosine were added to the medium, cell growth was unaffected, but it increased in guanosine.
Date: December 1979
Creator: Fadare, Samuel O.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Thermogenesis by Selected Substrates on Hypothermic Rat Liver (open access)

A Comparison of Thermogenesis by Selected Substrates on Hypothermic Rat Liver

The thermogenic effects in hypothermia of four substrates--alanine, glycine, ethano, and pyruvate - were studied in seventeen experiments. Albino rats were decapitated, and their livers were removed. The livers were homogenized with phosphate buffer at -5° C. After equilibration in a refrigerated Warburg apparatus at 20° C, the substrates were added and tissue respiration was recorded over three hours. Heat production was calculated from O2 uptake and CO2 production. Results showed that alanine, glycine, and pyrvate yielded 93.19, 89.86, and 89.89 x 10^6 kg-cal compared to a control value of 86.11 x 10^-6 kg-cal. Ethanol provided 110.31 x 10^-6 kg-cal, a value significantly greater than for the other substrates. The substrates studied, especially ethanol, did, therefore increase heat production in an artificially hypothermic environment in homogenized rat livers.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Long, James T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Opthalmic Use Of Sodium Cephalothin: An In Vivo Comparison (open access)

Opthalmic Use Of Sodium Cephalothin: An In Vivo Comparison

A rabbit keratoconjunctivities model was used to evaluate ophthalmic formulations containing 1 percent sodium cephalothin in silicon oil, a 1 percent sodium cephalothin aqueous solution, and a 0.3 percent gentamicin sulfate solution. Rabit eyes were inoculated intracorneally with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pneumoniae, After topical treatment, none of the antibiotic formulations were effective in the P. aeruginosa model; all three showed good activity against S. aureus, and against S. pneumoniae, the caphalothin formulations were more effective than gentamicin.In a related stability study, the cephalothin potency of the silicon formulation was maintained for 16 weeks at 4, 25, and 450 C These studies suggest that sodium cephalothin can be formulated as an effective and stable ophthalmic dosage form.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Carney, Gerald R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Permeability of the Kidney Capillaries to Narrow-Range Macromolecular Dextran Fractions (open access)

Permeability of the Kidney Capillaries to Narrow-Range Macromolecular Dextran Fractions

Recent investigations into the permeability of the kidney capillaries have produced conflicting reports. This study was an attempt to better describe the permeability of the kidney capillaries by using narrow-range macromolecular dextran fractions in four molecular sizes: MW 61,400, MW 77,000, MW 118,000, and MW 147,000. Permeability was measured by dextran concentration differences in plasma and kidney lymph. Permeability decreased as the dextran molecular weight increased. Molecular weights 61,400 and 77,000 penetrated into the kidney lymph. Molecular weight 118,000 exhibited greater difficulty in penetrating to the lymph. The largest fraction penetrated into the kidney lymph with greatest difficulty. Plasma expansion by saline infusion increased the permeability of all dextran fractions.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Wooldridge, Clayton Bradley
System: The UNT Digital Library
Thyroid Ultrastructural Changes Induced by Hypothermia (open access)

Thyroid Ultrastructural Changes Induced by Hypothermia

Investigations have shown that the hypothalamus and pituitary respond to decreases in body temperature by stimulating the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4 hormones. This study was designed to investigate ultrastructural changes of the thyroid gland induced by hypothermia. The ultrastructural changes produces by stimulation by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone were also examined as an adjunct to the hypothermic stimulation of the gland. There was a significant increase in microvilli on the luminal border of follicle cells along with a remarkable increase in numbers of dense granules. The dense granules also demonstrated a polarity being found near the border of the colloid lumen. The glandular changes induced by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone were very similar to those of hypothermia.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Kent, James Simpson
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of Colchicine on Neuronal Excitabilty (open access)

Effect of Colchicine on Neuronal Excitabilty

The abundance of microtubules in receptive dendrites suggests they may function in sensory transduction. Responses of frog muscle spindle receptors and joint receptors is inhibited within 25 minutes by 50 mM colchicine, a microtubuledisrupting agent. The inhibition is reversible upon removal of colchicine, and the time course of recovery is comparable to that of inhibition. Frog olfactory responses are briefly inhibited by washing the olfactory mucosa with perfusion fluid. Colchicine accentuates the inhibition and substantially retards the rate of recovery in a dose-dependent fashion. Colchicine does not affect axonal conduction, nor the oxygen uptake of isolated crab or frog leg nerves. The inhibitory action of colchicine is therefore an effect on the electrical excitability of the receptive dendrites or soma, and not an effect on axonal conduction.
Date: August 1978
Creator: Okafo, Ngozi
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biosystematic Study of a Desmodium Complex (open access)

Biosystematic Study of a Desmodium Complex

An examination of the Desmodium canescens complex (D. canescens; D. tweedyi; D. illinoense) has resulted in the delimitation of a previously unreported alliance between D. canescens and D. tweedyi. The following points support this view: (a) morphological data taken from herbarium and garden specimens indicate that for many characters, the mean values of D. canescens and D. tweedy are not significantly different (b) breeding experiments have shown that artificial interspecific hybridization is possible between D. canescens and D. tweedyi (c) cytological studies have shown that D. canescens and D. tweedyi have a base number of x = 11, while D. illinoense has a base number of x = 10. A new combination is suggested: Desmodium canescens var. tweedyi (Britt.) Williams.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Williams, John G., 1949-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of Hypothermia on the Release of Cardiac Enzymes (open access)

The Effects of Hypothermia on the Release of Cardiac Enzymes

The myocardium is known to release CPK, LDH1 , and GOT in response to ischemia as a result of myocardial infarction. This study was designed to induce the release of cardiac enzymes without adversely effecting the myocardium by perfusion hypothermia, thereby suggesting that these enzymes are not as specific in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction as once thought. Hypothermia was by in vivo perfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Enzyme activity was measured from sera samples spectrophotometrically and electrophoretically. Significant CPK and LDH1 increases were observed in animals perfused between 25 and 19 C. These results indicate that, while heart function remained unchanged, an alteration occurred in the membrane integrity of the myocardial cells.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Strawn, William B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Limitation of Primary Productivity in a Southwestern Reservoir Due to Thermal Pollution (open access)

Limitation of Primary Productivity in a Southwestern Reservoir Due to Thermal Pollution

Evidence is presented to support the conclusions that (1) North Lake reservoir is less productive, contains lower standing crops of phytoplankton and total organic carbon than other local reservoirs; (2) that neither the phytoplankton nor their instantaneously-determined primary productivity was detrimentally affected by the power plant entrainment and (3) that the effect of the power plant is to cause nutrient limitation of the phytoplankton primary productivity by long-term, subtle, thermally-linked nutrient precipitation activities.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Stuart, Tom J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of Light on Carotenoid Synthesis in Corynebacterium 7E1C (open access)

The Effect of Light on Carotenoid Synthesis in Corynebacterium 7E1C

The effects of light, light "mimicking" chemicals, and protein synthesis inhibitors on the photo-induced carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium 7EIC were studied. Changes in the dosage of fluorescent light applied to dark grown cells showed a dose related carotenogenic response. Maintaining the same dosage but varying the wavelength of monochromatic light revealed that light with a wavelength of 280 to 450nm was responsible for photo-induction. It further showed a peak of photo-induction between the wavelengths of 370 and 430nm. The light "mimicking" chemicals antimycin A and p-Chloromercurybenzoate were shown to have no light "mimicking" effects. The transcriptional inhibitor of protein synthesis actinomycin D partially inhibited, and chloramphenicol a translational inhibitor, completely inhibited photo-induced carotenogenesis.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Endicott, George R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Diphenyloxazole Metabolism by Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase (open access)

Diphenyloxazole Metabolism by Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase

2,5-Diphenyloxazole (PPO) was tested as a potential alternate inducer for the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) system. Its apparent lack. of carcinogenicity and toxicity provide a possible system for investigation of enzyme systems related to chemical carcinogenesis without exposure of the researcher to potent carcinogenic compounds. These studies found PPO to be an inducer of AHH in cultured human lymphocytes. When PPO was utilized as a substrate for the AHH assay system, the major metabolites produced were strongly fluorescent. A simple fluorometric assay was developed which employed PPO as the substrate and which measured constitutive activity more efficiently than similar assays using benzo(a)pyrene as the substrate. Quantitation of both basal and induced lymphocyte AHH metabolism of PPO may be applicable to human population studies and may provide a tool to determine possible genetic variables with respect to carcinogen metabolism related to cancer risk.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Abreu, Mary E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Dynamics of a Planktonic Microcrustacean Community in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem (open access)

The Dynamics of a Planktonic Microcrustacean Community in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem

Seven species of planktonic microcrustacea were identified from the North Texas State University Golf Course Pond. Total adult microcrustacean community density, biomass and biocontent, and seasonal cycles of each species were compared with northern populations. Species diversity and evenness indices were highest in summer and lowest in spring. Variations in microcrustacean density showed a positive correlation with density of phytoplankton. Temperature had a direct effect on metabolic rates of two species of copepods. Metabolic rates of pond species were lower at common temperatures than those of northern populations. An estimate of annual energy flow through the pond ecosystem showed cladocerans contributed the greater percentage of total energy to the next trophic level.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Smith, George Arthur
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Hypothermic Perfusion of the Isolated Thyroid Gland and Its Release of T₃ And T₄ (open access)

The Hypothermic Perfusion of the Isolated Thyroid Gland and Its Release of T₃ And T₄

Investigations have shown that the hypothalamus and pituitary respond to decreases in body temperature by stimulating thyroid release of T_3 and T_4 . This study was designed to bypass the control of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and investigate the direct effect of temperature on the thyroid gland. Hypothermia was by an in vivo isolated perfusion of the thyroid gland. Radio-immunoassay was used to measure T_3 and T_4 concentrations. Significant increases were observed in animals perfused between 36º and 25ºc. These results indicate that the thyroid gland is directly effected by decreased temperature and that it is capable of exerting control over body temperature independent of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Lower perfusion temperatures produced no significant increases.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Haenke, Richard F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Life History Allocation of Energy to Growth and Reproduction in Gizzard Shad, Dorosoma cepedianum, in North Central Texas (open access)

Life History Allocation of Energy to Growth and Reproduction in Gizzard Shad, Dorosoma cepedianum, in North Central Texas

Life history allocation of energy to growth and reproduction was determined for female gizzard shad. Absolute caloric energy allocated to eggs increased with age. The relative amount of production energy directed to reproduction increased with age up to 5 years and then decreased. Seasonal variation in lipids was studied. Quantitative changes occurred in ovarian lipids during the reproductive cycle. Carcass lipids varied seasonally. Age of sexual maturity was 3 years. Delayed maturity is attributed to high allocation of energy to growth enabling shad to outgrow intense competition and predation in pre-reproductive ages; there is little competition and predation in reproductive shad. Growth rates and condition factors indicated constant availability of food seasonally.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Fagan, Joseph A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Physiological Studies of the Bdellovibrio-Host Interaction (open access)

Physiological Studies of the Bdellovibrio-Host Interaction

The purpose of this study was to focus attention on the physiology of the bdellovibrio-host interaction and to determine the metabolic requirements for this reaction. Since bdellovibrio is an aerobic organism, direct measurements of respiration, turbidity, and viable cell counts are reliable indications of the metabolic activity of the cells. It was determined that the metabolic requirements for the parasitic interaction are constituents from either metabolically active host cells or cells which are capable of at least some metabolic activity. The nutritional requirements of host-independent bdellovibrios suspended in buffer are not met by the presence or absence of viable or nonviable Enterobacter aegnes. Unlike the HD bdellovibrios, the HI bdellovibrios lack the ability to make economical use of their self-digesting processes.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Dunton, Philip J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Relationship of Certain Fungi to Azotobacter in Nitrogen-Free Media (open access)

Relationship of Certain Fungi to Azotobacter in Nitrogen-Free Media

Azotobacter and various fungi were grown together in nitrogen-free media. Maximal fungal growth in the medium used was possible only at the expense of Azotobacter cells and growth was always accompanied by acid production. When the medium reached a pH of 2, the bacterial cells were aggregated on fungal hyphae and the culture fluid appeared to be free of Azotobacter. Aspergillus niger grew well at the expense of viable bacteria and other fungi grew well on heat-killed cells of A. vinelandii. Members of the genus Hormodendrum, although not causing significant decrease in pH, were also able to clear turbid cultures of Azotobacter. However, clearing, which involved the attachment of bacteria to fungal hyphae, was dependent on acid production by the fungi. Bacterial aggregation was followed by hyphal attachment, bacterial inactivation, and finally, bacterial cell lysis.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Ray, Manfred G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Lymphocytes (open access)

A Study of Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Lymphocytes

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was studied in cultured human lymphocytes using 3-methylcholanthrene, 1,2- benzanthracene, and 4'-bromoflavone as inducers. The substrates used to run the 60 minute assay were benzo(α)pyrene and diphenyloxazole. At the optimum bromoflavone concentration for induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, the induced enzymatic activity compared favorably with that of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induced by 3MC in a 96 hour lymphocyte culture using BP as the assay substrate. The whole cell human lymphocyte system was found to have as much or more activity in 20 ml vials using Joklik's-Modified Minimum Essential Medium at a pH optimum of 7.5 with no co-factor added as did the Roswell Park assay system. The whole cell assay showed that levels of aryl hydrocarbonhydroxylase inducibility in lumphocytes from smokers and non-smokers varied without regard to the subjects' smoking habits. The assay system also indicated that intact lymphocytes generate a similar group of benzo(α)pyrene metabolites as that produced by a hepatic microsomal preparation from C57B1/6J mice.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Guyden, Jerry C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase and Sixteen Alpha Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Lymphocytes (open access)

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase and Sixteen Alpha Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Lymphocytes

Cultured human lymphocytes may be assayed for aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in whole cell preparations. The optimum assay conditions are pH 8.5, and 1.5 mM Mg++. The reaction is linear with time and cell number, and is inhibited by CO. Estradiol may inhibit induction of AHH by 3-methylcholanthrene, but is a poor competitor for the enzyme. A Caucasian population was assayed for AHH activity. The distribution was lognormal; no difference was found in cultured cells from males and females or smokers and nonsmokers. Cells from relatives of lung cancer patients showed higher activity. An American Indian population showed no difference from the Caucasian population in enzyme level. No linkage was found between AHH and 16a-hydroxylase.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Coomes, Marguerite L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Induction of 16α Hydroxylase in Human Cultured Lymphocytes (open access)

Induction of 16α Hydroxylase in Human Cultured Lymphocytes

A method is presented for 160hydroxylase (SAH) induction in cultured human lymphocytes. SAH, a microsomal-associated enzyme, effects the oxidative conversion of 17pestradiol to estriol, which competes for cytoplasmic binding sites. 17,-estradiol and estrone are known mammary carcinogens, while estriol and its epimers have been suggested to have anticarcinogenic properties. To substantiate genetic variations of hydroxylase activity, an analysis of estrogen-induced cultured human lymphocytes was conducted to evaluate the frequency distribution of low, intermediate, and high SAH activity. Frequency analysis indicated that the control population distribution of SAH activity does not corroborate a proposed trimodal expansion of human SAH activity. A log normal distribution of SAH activity does exist, which suggests a polygenic mode of genetic control. SAH activity in a population of breast cancer patients and relatives of breast cancer patients showed no statistical difference from the SAH activity in the control population.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Muijsson, Ingrid E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Differences in Protein Constituents of Some Azotobacter Species (open access)

Differences in Protein Constituents of Some Azotobacter Species

This study used polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study the acid-phenol soluble proteins of five strains (A. vinelandii 12837, A. vinelandii 0, A. chroococcum 8004, A. macrocytogenes 8702, A. tumefaciens) of bacteria grown on Burk's nitrogen-free media, Trypticase Soy Broth, and 0.3% butanol medium. The results showed that the protein patterns can be used for the identification and possibly the taxonomic classification of the Azotobacter. The change of phenotype of the bacteria in different media followed the change of protein quantity and quality. There was no absolute similarity between any two of the species studied and this suggests a genetically heterogenous group of organisms while the amount of common proteins suggests close genetic relationships. Further studies are necessary to confirm the status of A. tumefaciens.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Hsu, Li-Chu Yao
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Population Dynamics and Trophic Relationships of Seven Species of Fish in a Small Southwestern Pond, with Special Attention Toward Young-of-the-Year Fish (open access)

The Population Dynamics and Trophic Relationships of Seven Species of Fish in a Small Southwestern Pond, with Special Attention Toward Young-of-the-Year Fish

Production rates of seven species of fish, along with food-web interactions, were determined for one year in a pond. Production of fish in the pond amounted to 208.9 q/m2/yr. Over 95% of the production occurred in the summer, with Y of Y fish contributing 83.8%. There were two food-web interactions observed in Y of Y fishes: crappie vs. bass and bullhead vs. sunfish. When Y of Y fish shifted to benthic diets in the spring, the small biomass of benthos available could not sustain the larger biomass of fish. Competition for the available food resulted in decreased production rates for the fish community.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Jones, Fredrick V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Primary Productivity and Community Metabolism in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem (open access)

Primary Productivity and Community Metabolism in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem

Rates of primary production and community metabolism were monitored over a one year period using the diurnal oxygen method. Certain physico-chemical parameters were also measured, and autotrophic standing crops were estimated. An in-depth study was made of the phytoplankton community and various diversity indicies were calculated. Simple correlations were run between all parameters measured (biotic and abiotic), and their inter-relationships examined. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to develop equations predictive of production and community metabolism. Bluegreen algae were the dominant phytoplankters with blooms occurring in late summer and fall. Yearly mean production was approximately 21 kcal per meter square per day with a mean photosynthetic efficiency of 1.2 per cent. Of the various parameters measured turbidity and water temperature were most important in determining rates of primary production.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Kelly, Martin H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Pharmacological, Temperature, and Electrogram Studies on the Posterior Lymph Heart of the Bullfrog (open access)

Pharmacological, Temperature, and Electrogram Studies on the Posterior Lymph Heart of the Bullfrog

In view of the discrepancies and conflicts produced by previous studies on amphibian lymph hearts, a study was initiated to reinvestigate the pharmacological, temperature, and electrical aspects of lymph heart physiology. Bullfrogs were chosen as the experimental animal, All lymph heart responses to experimentation were physiographically recorded as myograms and electrograms. The results are in agreement with previous studies on some aspects and in conflict on others. From the results obtained, lymph heart muscle appears to possess both skeletal and cardiac muscle properties as evidenced by drug responses and reactions to temperature. The precise components of the electrogram remain unclear. It is suggested that further investigation should be made to better determine the true nature of lymph hearts.
Date: May 1975
Creator: Oberndorfer, Carol E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Floristic Study of the Woody Vegetation of the North American Cross Timbers (open access)

A Floristic Study of the Woody Vegetation of the North American Cross Timbers

This research represents the first systematic collection of the woody plants throughout the Cross Timbers. It provides the first keys to these plants in their vegetative condition, plant descriptions, distribution maps, and some quantitative measurements used for descriptive purposes. Descriptions of the woody plants were constructed as an aid in verification after a specimen has been identified by use of the keys. The measurements given pertain only to the woody plants as they occur in the Cross Timbers. Distributional maps are provided for all the taxa considered in this research. With the exception of those species which have the ecological amplitude to grow throughout the Cross Timbers, the distribution of the majority of the remaining species seems to be most strongly influenced by average annual precipitation. In a few instances, conditions associated with latitude appear to govern the distribution of species or varieties within the Cross Timbers. Throughout the Cross Timbers, post oak (Quercus stelta), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), and hickory (Caraa texan) dominate the upland forests. The streamside forests are dominated by willow (alix nigra), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and hackberry (Celtis laevi ata). The variation in the vegetation of the Cross Timbers is not due to any change in …
Date: December 1974
Creator: Harrison, Thieron Pike
System: The UNT Digital Library