The endogenous circadian clock is an intracellular transcriptional feedback loop timing daily patterns of multiple biological rhythms within a 24-hour period. Disturbance in various rhythms leads to alteration of normal biological processes including cellular proliferation and tumor suppression. Endogenous circadian clock rhythms have been found to be disrupted in breast...
Perfluorinated chemicals have been widely used in industry for their superior surfactant qualities. Because of their widespread usage and resistance to photolytic and biodegradation mechanisms, as well as their ability to undergo long-range atmospheric transport, these compounds have become ubiquitous in the world-wide water supplies. Of particular interest are perfluorooctanoic...
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, Briana Knight, Karen Tonsfeldt, and
CheriGoodall for assistance in media analysis
and data processing
Blastocystis spp. is a common intestinal parasite in humans and animals that has been associated with acute or chronic digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Serotonin mediates intestinal motility, sensation, and secretory function in the normal intestinal tract. Serotonin (5-HT) signaling is decreased in animal models of colitis, as...
Circadian regulation is essential for many physiological functions, from sleep/wake patterns to hormonal rhythms. While the brain’s biological clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), likely plays a role in reproductive rhythms, it remains unknown if intracellular circadian clocks elsewhere contribute to the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates pituitary...
Aquatic animals possess surprising similarities to humans in reproductive signaling that are simplified or elaborated for life underwater, making them useful for studying reproductive control. In this thesis, killifish and sea anemones are used as models for reproductive function and aging. The aging model Nothobranchius (killifish) was used to investigate...
Canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has been shown to have a substantial inflammatory component. It exhibits genotypic and morphologic elements that resemble its human counterpart. Cyclooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes in the synthesis of proinflammatory molecules, such as prostaglandins. Excess prostaglandin production through cyclooxygenases may promote oncogenesis and progression of...
Ovulation requires preovulatory surges of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from preoptic hypothalamic neurons, initiated by elevated ovarian estradiol (E₂). Rising estradiol activates a subset of sexually dimorphic kisspeptin (Kiss-1) neurons in the female, located in the anteroventral periventricular nuclei (AVPV). Conversely, estradiol negative feedback on GnRH secretion is mediated by a...
Acute phase protein (APP) measurement can be used to characterize and rapidly detect inflammation. Serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP) may be useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in horses presenting for colic and other inflammatory diseases. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the use of SAA...
The serotonergic system plays a significant regulatory role in osteoblast differentiation and proliferation. Serotonin (five-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT) may promote or inhibit osteoblast proliferation depending upon the serotonin receptor isoforms expressed by the cell. Classically, 5HT receptor 1B (5HTR1B) reduces osteoblast proliferation by inhibiting phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding...
During the past 30 years, numerous studies have focused on the toxicities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Laboratory and field studies have helped elucidate the detrimental effects of these chemicals on growth, reproduction and immune response. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are in the priority list of chemicals to be studied by...