Hood College Student Works

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PCR AMPLIFICATION AND CLONING OF ELEVEN OVERLAPPING SEGMENTS OF BIV127 env FOR BACTERIAL EXPRESSION AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EXPRESSED PROTEINS
(1995-11) Hutchison, Don C.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Bacterially expressed segments of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) envelope were tested for immunological reactivity with sera from cows, rabbits, and a guinea pig. Overlapping segments of the gene coding for BIV127 envelope surface (SU) and transmembrane (TM) regions were generated by the polymerase chain reaction and subcloned into two fusion protein expression systems: pGEX 4-T-1, a glutathione-Stransferase (GST) fusion system (Pharmacia), and pMAL-C2, a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion system (New England Biolabs). E. co//transformed with the recombinant plasmids were induced to express BIV-GST or BIV-MBP fusion proteins. The fusion proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using Glutathione Sepharose 4B or amylose resin, respectively. The BIV-MBP peptides were then separated by size on SDS-PAGE gels and transferred onto lmmobilon filters by semi-dry blotting. BIV-MBP purified fusion proteins were also cleaved by factor Xa protease to release the BIV fragment from its fusion partner prior to separation by SOS-PAGE gradient gels and western blot. Fusion proteins were detected using goat anti-GST antibodies or rabbit anti-MBP and tested for reactivity with sera from naturally and experimentally infected cows, an experimentally infected rabbit, immunized rabbits, and an immunized guinea pig. Additionally, sera to synthetic peptides derived from the BIV env gene were tested. Primary sera were incubated with an appropriate horseradish peroxidase-conjugated (HRP) secondary antibody using the enhanced chemi-luminescence system and exposed to x-ray film. The pGEX (GST) expression system showed low yields of BIV-GST fusion protein compared to GST controls expressed with no fusion partner. In contrast, relatively large amounts of BIV-MBP fusion proteins were expressed and could be visualized by Coomassie staining on SDS-PAGE gels as well as western blot. Analysis of the SDS-PAGE and western blot results (of BIV-MBP antigen against cow and rabbit sera) showed BIV reactivity in the BIV-MBP fusion proteins. However, with some antigens, normal control sera also reacted to the BIV-MBP fusion proteins or to copurified protein(s) of similar molecular weight. To evade "non-specific" MBP or copurified protein reactivity, BIV-MBP fusion proteins were cleaved with factor Xa and electrophoresed on 4-20% SDS-PAGE gradient gels prior to western blotting, and tested with a similar panel of sera. An immunogenic region of the amino-terminus of TM corresponding to the extracellular domain (represented by TM1-MBP) was recognized by sera from a naturally infected cow and a cow transfused with a field isolate in both the uncleaved and factor Xa cleaved experiments. Rabbit sera from a BIV127-infected rabbit and a rabbit immunized with purified BIV virion also recognized the cleavage product from factor Xa cleaved TM1-MBP antigen.
KINSHIP AND AGONISTIC BEHAVIOR AMONG MALE MICE
(1995-05) Hughes, Melanie K.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Adult male mice defend small territories and compete for mates by engaging in agonistic interactions. A dominance hierarchy is established based on the outcome of these agonistic encounters and the urinary marking behavior of adult male mice is usually strongly dependent on their social dominance ranks. Animals do not behave selfishly all the time but in some circumstances may behave cooperatively, particularly with kin. Hamilton (1964) proposed the theory of kin selection which predicts that the evolution of social behavior is influenced by the degree of kinship between two individuals. I tested Hamilton's theory, that kinship influences agonistic behavior in a preliminary experiment in which I observed agonistic encounters between brothers and nonbrothers. If kin selection on male mice influences interactions between brothers, agonistic interactions between them should be infrequent relative to nonbrothers. The preliminary experiment showed that the mean latency to fight was longer for brothers than for nonbrothers. The mechanism(s) controlling this nepotistic behavior among brothers may be emotional attachment due to association of littermates during early development and/or degree of relatedness per se. I used a cross-fostering procedure to establish four categories of male mice: brothers in same litter, nonbrothers in different litters, brothers in different litters, and nonbrothers in same litter. My results indicate that both attachment and relatedness influence agonistic interactions. To investigate the relevance of open arena tests and whether male mice will continue to display nepotistic behavior in the presense of a limited resource, the pairs of mice were fought a second time with an estrous female present. The male mice had significantly lower latencies which may have resulted from their prior fighting experience, although the pattern of latencies in relation to attachment and relatedness remained the same. Finally, I tested whether kinship influences the nature of urinary marking patterns of male mice and found no significant difference in the urine pattern.
LA GRANDE ÉRUDITION—UN DES QUATRE LIVRES CONFUCIANISTES: ÉCRIT PAR TZENG TZE: UN DES MEILLEURS DISCIPLES DE CONFUCIUS
(2005-12) Huang, Lori; Hood College Arts and Humanities; Humanities
This project aims to conduct the translation of Tzeng-Tze's The Great Learning from ancient Chinese into French in adherence to the following three principles: fidelity, fluency, and gracefulness. The three principal objectives are announced at the beginning of this work in the most straight-forward manner: "What the Great Learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtues; to love the people; and to rest in the highest excellence." These worthy objectives, followed by profound teachings on how to achieve them, render this work one of the four renowned Confucian classics. With the Great Harmony as the ultimate goal, spiritual guidance is given in a step-by-step fashion—with explanation and instructions for each—for the process of advancement. This process can be divided into two parts: Inner Sainthood and Outer Kingship; namely, the internal cultivation and the external practice.
THE BACTERIAL EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIV REV EXON 2 AND THE EXTRACELLULAR DOMAIN OF BIV TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEIN
(1996-04) Hu, Marie Y.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
To determine if BIV rev exon 2 is post-translationally removed from the Env polypeptide and if the extracellular domain of BIV TM protein is the region responsible for virus-cell fusion, PCR generated fragments of these two regions were cloned and bacterially expressed as maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion proteins in the pMAL expression system. The expressed fusion proteins were isolated and purified by affinity chromatography using amylose resin. The fusion proteins were immunologically characterized by immunoblotting using BIV specific sera, as well as the rabbit anti-MBP serum. The purified proteins were used to immunize mice and guinea pigs for the production of antisera. The antisera were immunologically characterized by western blotting and radioimmunoprecipitation of BIV 127-infected cell lysates. The experimental findings suggest that rev exon 2 translation appears in both the Env precursor and the mature Rev protein. Furthermore, rev exon 2 is posttranslationally cleaved from the gp100 Env surface glycoprotein as evidenced by the recognition of the mouse antisera to MBP-rev exon 2 to p102 Env precursor and the p23rev but not gp100. The presence of the putative BIV primary fusion domain within the extracellular domain of the BIV transmembrane protein (TM-ecd) was not determined due to the lack of reagents.
IgA1 PROTEASES
(1986-08) Hsu, S. Dana; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
IgA1 protease is elaborated by several mucosal pathogens, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as Streptococcus sanguis, a predominant bacterium in dental plaque. The enzyme is specific for the IgA1 subclass, cleaving the molecule at the hinge region to form intact F ab and F c fragments. IgA2 is not susceptible to proteolysis because of a deletion of a 13 amino acid segment in the hinge region where the cleavage sites are located. S. sanguis 10556 was grown in carbon excess and carbon limitation, in undialyzed and diafiltrated media, and the enzyme partially purified by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Comparison was made of the elution profiles of the enzyme preparations in gel filtration using phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and Tris(hydroxymethyl)amino methane-HCL (Tris-HCL) buffer, pH 8.0. IgA1 protease was found to be elaborated under carbon limitation, a condition encountered by microorganisms in dental plaque. The use of diafiltrated medium reduced significantly a large contaminating peak which elutes in approximately the same region as the enzyme in gel filtration (phosphate buffer). Better separation of the enzyme from other components eluting at the void volumn was obtained using phosphate buffer than Tris-HCL buffer in gel filtration. In anionic exchange chromatography, the enzyme eluted unbound, while the majority of the contaminating proteins remained bound to the support. This procedure is an efficient method of obtaining a preparation of S. sanguis IgA1 protease which is contaminated by only a few proteins.
The Effects of Acid Precipitation Upon the Hatching Rate of the Eggs and the Survival Rate of the Larvae of the Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum.
(1979-08) Howser, Karen Markel; Hood College Biology; Human Sciences
Acid precipitation has been shown to have a significant impact on the environment through its effect on the pH of aquatic systems. In the present study, laboratory and field experiments were conducted on eggs of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, that were maintained in pond water at pH levels ranging from 3 to 7. The results showed that A. maculatum eggs do not hatch at levels below pH 4. Larvae hatching at pH 4 were deformed and their survival rate was low. Hatching rates of eggs and survival rates of larvae were highest at pH 5 and pH 6. Analysis of the data showed significant differences (P = .05) between most of the pH levels tested for both hatching rates and survival rates. The results of this study are relevant to the preservation of some of the endangered species which are also temporary pond breeders, such as the Jefferson salamander.
RESPONSES OF Nf1Fcr/Nf1FcrB CELLS AND Nf1+/Nf1+B CELLS TO SURFACE IMMUNOGLOBULIN CROSSLINKING
(1996-11) Householder, Deborah Barnhart; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
The aim of this research is to compare the cellular responses of neurofibromin deficient (Nf1-/-) B cells and neurofibromin positive (Nf1+/+) B cells to surface immunoglobulin (sIg) crosslinking, which mimics B cell activation by specific antigens. Mice heterozygous for a germline null mutation at the Nf1 gene (Nf1Fcr/+) were mated, and fetal liver cells from 13.5 day Nf1Fcr/Nf1Fcr or Nf1+/Nf1+ embryos were used to reconstitute the hematopoietic system of lethally irradiated recipient mice. After full reconstitution had taken place, splenic B cells were isolated and surface immunoglobulin was crosslinked with goat a-murine Ig antibodies. The rate of surface Ig patching and capping after crosslinking was identical in B cells of Nf1Fcr/Nf1Fcr and Nf1+/Nf1+ genotypes. 3H-Thymidine uptake, after crosslinking with α-IgG or α-IgM or with the addition of IL-5, was measured and found to be the same in B cells of both the Nf1Fcr/Nf1Fcr and Nf1+/Nf1+ genotypes. Furthermore, both Nf1 mutant and wild-type B cells exhibited the ability for Ras to cocap with slg. However, differences in the appearance of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine after crosslinking of surface Ig were noted. When lysates from crosslinked B cells were probed with α-phosphotyrosine antibody a band of approximately 109 kd, present in wild-type lysate, was not present in the mutant lysate. There was also a difference between mutant and wildtype B cell lysates in the level of phosphorylation on tyrosine for other substrates. These results show that neurofibromin may not have a role in the initial activation of the signaling pathway in B cells, but it may play a role further downstream in the signaling pathway. While defects in B cells have not been noted in NF1 patients, who carry one mutant NF1 allele, these results may lead to new insights in neurofibromin function or help diagnose NF1 syndrome in some patients.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of Antibodies to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA), Early Antigen (EA), and Nuclear Antigen (EBNA)
(1982-08) Hopkins, Ralph F. III; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for the detection of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated proteins including viral capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA), and nuclear antigen (EBNA). The specificity of the three ELISA systems was demonstrated by the use of 43 well-characterized human sera shown by immunofluorescence (IF) to be variously reactive for antibodies to the viral antigens. Of the cell lines tested as sources of ELISA antigen, the productively EBV-infected cell line, B95-8 was selected as the source of VCA and EA while the EBV-genome positive non-virus producer cell line, B1-19 was chosen as a source of EBNA. Nine sera which were negative for antibodies to VCA, EA, and EBNA by IF were also negative by ELISA. Approximately 50% of the positive antisera tested gave higher anti-VCA and anti-EA titers by ELISA than by IF. The EBNA ELISA test was also more sensitive than IF with all 33 EBNA positive sera. The antibody titers obtained for either VCA, EA, or EBNA when measured by IF and ELISA showed a high degree of correlation whereas no correlation was observed between the antibody being detected in the VCA and EA ELISAs. The antibody titers obtained in each of the ELISAs were reproducible within one two-fold dilution between repeated experiments. These ELISAs for EBV-associated antigens are specific, sensitive, rapid, and objective and thus provide a valuable method for detection of antibodies to these antigens.
Ultraviolet Carcinogenesis in C₃H Athymic Nude Mice
(1985-05) Hoover, Tammy; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
The induction of skin tumors by ultraviolet irradiation (UV) in C₃H mice and congenic C₃H nude mice was examined. Prior to UV-irradiation, C₃H nude mice were reconstituted with thymus grafts from C₃H mice. C₃H nude skin was grafted onto the backs of C₃H mice before UV treatment. UV-induced tumors were tested for antigenicity and were examined histologically. The probability of tumor development was similar for UV-irradiated C₃H nude mice, UV-irradiated C₃H nude mice reconstituted with thymus grafts and UV-irradiated C₃H mice grafted with C₃H nude skin. UV-irradiated C₃H mice had a longer latency period of tumor development than the other three treatment groups. The probability of tumor development was significantly (P < 0.0048) lower for the UV-irradiated C₃H mice when compared to the other UV-irradiated treatment groups. All UV-induced tumors in the study were squamous cell carcinomas. Tumors from all of the UV-irradiated treatment groups were antigenic. This study indicates that the differences in latency period and probability of tumor incidence in the nude mouse are due to intrinsic properties of the skin and not to the lack of a functioning thymus.
A study of Cicadellidae Populations on Andropogon virginicus and Dactylis glomerata in Frederick County, Maryland
(1980) Hoover, Barbara Kristin; Hood College Biology; Human Sciences
Cicadellidae cause serious economic damage as a result of both their feeding on valuable farm crops and through the viruses that they transmit to those crops. In order to study this problem, collections of leafhoppers were made on Andropogon virginicus and Dactylis glomerata using a D-VAC(R) vacuum net sampling device. Temperature, wind speed, and wind direction data were collected from a weather station operated at Ft. Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. Collections of leafhoppers were made on a weekly basis over a five and one-half month period during the summer and fall of 1978 in Frederick County, Maryland. Specimens found in these collections were asphyxiated with ethyl acetate and identified to species level if possible. Population fluctuations of each species were examined. On the basis of high population levels and the potential for virus transmission, Endria inimica, Graminella nigrifrons, Stirellus bicolor, Psammotettix sp., Draeculacephala portola and Aphrodes sp. were identified as the species most capable of causing economic damage to valuable crops. Temperature and wind speed were found to influence the number of leafhoppers collected in a sample. Wind direction was not considered to be a factor in the number collected. Suggestions for using the information contained in this paper in a program of integrated pest management are presented.
ATTACHMENT: A PSYCHOANALYTIC AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
(1985-04) Hollister, Joy Marie; Hood College Psychology; Human Sciences
The present research undertakes the application of the attachment theory concepts to provide a more adequate understanding of a very important aspect of human relationships and development. It is the writer's belief that our earliest of years are the ones that mark us indelibly for life, for better or for worse. What more logical point could there be to begin an investigation into those early influences than that very basic mother-child relationship? The progressively-increasing awareness of the critical emphasis on the individual's first two years of life and even the effect that a mother's emotions and state of mind has on her yet unborn child and the development of the mother-child attachment is central to the survival of the species. For the writer, one of the most valuable implications of this paper is that, if we as impressionable creatures, who require love, affection and guidance in our early years, just as we require food and water, would have those needs met from the very beginning, then how much valuable time and effort we would save in our maturing process. The vigor of our youth that should be directed toward creative activity and goal attainment is so often dissipated in our search for self. By the time we have come to even a shallow understanding of who we are and why we are as we are, so many years have gone by and much energy has been expended. Is it any wonder most human beings realize only a small proportion of their potential. Some, of course, manage their personality adjustment better and sooner than others while some never make it at all. It is so fortunate for civilization as a whole that some rare birds of the species realized it all, in spite of it all. But how few Mozarts, Shakespears and da Vincis there have been!
Genetic Variation of Neutral and Non-Neutral Markers of the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
(2013-05) Hogan, Priscilla; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, faces challenges from environmental threats and human interactions. The basis for this project was to characterize and assess the genetic diversity of a neutral marker in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and a non-neutral marker, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene, of the southwest Florida manatee. There are currently no published data available for the genetic sequences of MHC genes in the Florida manatee. Understanding the genetic variation of MHC genes is important because it may provide insight into the manatees' susceptibility to pathogens and environmental toxins that afflict natural populations. Characterizing a neutral marker of the mtDNA will assess the overall diversity of the population. An analysis of the mtDNA revealed that there was no genetic diversity between the samples characterized. Understanding the genetic differences of both neutral and adaptive markers between individuals in the population is important for the protection of the Florida manatee and the conservation of their habitat and biological corridors.
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG LABELING: A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS
(2008-05) Hoffman, Nicole; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Medication errors and their role in patient safety have recently become a widely publicized issue in public health. In an attempt to lower medication errors, the FDA implemented new requirements for prescription drug labeling in June 2006. The new regulations modify the format and content requirements for prescription drug labeling, or package inserts, used by prescribing professionals. The main purposes of the new format are to make it easier for physicians to use the package insert and to make it easier for them to find specific information at the time of prescribing. A package insert that is easier to use will be referenced more frequently, which should lead to fewer medication errors. This study utilized 12 volunteers to evaluate a total of 50 package inserts, in both the old and new format, to see if the new format is easier to use than the old format. The results of the study show that the new format is a statistically significant improvement upon the old format for all evaluated characteristics. However, while the new prescription drug labeling requirements will likely reduce medication errors, public health is a complex issue and an improvement in prescription drug labeling is only one step toward a larger goal of protecting patient safety.
THE SEQUENCE, GENOMIC ORGANIZATION, AND EXPRESSION OF THE SMALL GENOMIC SEGMENT OF CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER VIRUS FOR THE POTENTIAL USE AS A DIAGNOSTIC ANTIGEN
(1992-04) Hodgson, Loreen; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (Nairovirus, Bunyaviridae) is the causative agent of a serious, often fatal human disease. This disease is present in at least 28 countries and may occur even more widely within the range of its Hyalomma tick vector in Africa and Eurasia. In addition to the naturally acquired disease, the virus is also noted for its ability to cause nosocomial outbreaks, as has occurred in at least seven countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. These incidents have resulted in mortality rates as high as 80% among infected health care workers. Current laboratory tests for diagnosis and surveillance of CCHF, lack sensitivity and do not differentiate adequately between the human pathogenic and nonpathogenic members of the Nairovirus genus. The disease syndrome in man is well-described clinically, however, the biochemical properties of the virus are poorly understood. Therefore, a molecular and antigenic analyses of the pathogenic CCHF virus was initiated to define the genes which are relevant to viral diagnosis and immunoprophylaxis. Previous monoclonal antibody studies have indicated that the nucleocapsid (NC) protein was the most type-specific polypeptide. Therefore, subsequent studies to be described, have focused on the determination of the sequence of the CCHF virus S RNA segment. In other Bunyaviridae viruses, the S RNA segment of the viral genome encodes the nucleocapsid (NC) protein. This sequence information will contribute towards the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic assays, and expression of the NC protein for use as a type-specific diagnostic antigen. An efficient in vitro system to replicate CCHF virus was developed using low multiplicity of infection (MOI) of SW13 cell cultures. Comparative studies of the viral proteins of CCHF virus and other Nairoviruses were initiated using this system. These studies demonstrated a common pattern of polypeptides, consisting of two glycoproteins with relative molecular weights (Mr) of 78 and 37 kDa, and a NC polypeptide with 53.9 kDa Mr, comprising the major structural proteins were present among all the Nairovirus that were evaluated. A pulse-chase experiment indicated that an additional three polypeptides are present in CCHF virus-infected cells, which may be precursors in the formation of the virion glycoproteins. RNA was extracted from viral nucleocapsids purified from infected cells by equilibrium centrifugation, and the L, M, and S RNA segments were separated by gel electrophoresis. Based on the 3' end sequence of the S RNA segment, a single S RNA-specific primer was designed to initiate first strand cDNA synthesis and also to initiate synthesis of a full-length PCR product using CCHF virus RNA as a template. The initial PCR product was found to be specific for the CCHF virus S RNA segment when used as a hybridization probe against CCHF virus and other Nairovirus RNAs in a northern blot analysis. This full-length PCR product was modified for use as a sequencing template and both strands of the DNA product were sequenced using T4 DNA polymerase and in a dideoxy sequencing reaction. The CCHF virus S RNA segment was found to be 1672 nucleotides in length. Computer analysis of this sequence predicted a single open reading frame (ORE'), which could encode a 482 amino acid (53.9 kDa) protein. A PCR product representing this ORF, with exogenous terminal restriction endonuclease sites, was inserted into Autoqrapha californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV), a baculovirus, in lieu of the 5' coding region of the AcNPV polyhedrin gene. Spodoptera fruqiperda (Sf9) cells were infected with the recombinant baculovirus and monitored for NC protein expression. The recombinant expressed protein was characterized using immunofluorescent (IFA) and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays and was found to be antigenically indistinguishable from the authentic CCHF virus NC protein.
THE CELL CYCLE EFFECTS AND INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS IN CCRF-CEM CELLS TREATED WITH NEW COMPOUNDS
(1995-07) Hite, Karen M.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has been investigating anticancer drugs since its inception. A drug screening program has been part of this drug discovery strategy since 1955. The goal of these efforts has been to identify new candidate drugs and toward clinical efficacy. In the present study, a set identified as having NCI Primary In Vitro for their ability to interesting direct their development of four new lead compounds compound profiles in the Cancer Screen were studied in detail induce cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in a human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, CCRF-CEM. Two of the compounds show a COMPARE pattern typical of known tubulin binding compounds and the other two compounds show striking antileukemia activity. The compound effects were analyzed by flow cytometry for their cell cycle activity. The flow cytometry methodology was first calibrated using a set of five well characterized standard compounds. Standard compounds affecting the cell cycle at the S and G2+M phase and resulting in a reduction of the number of cells in the Gi phase with an accumulation of cells in G2 are represented by vinblastine, ncocdazole and taxol. Hydroxyurea and actinomycin D also affect the cell cycle in S phase, but these compounds block the cells in G1 and S and reduce the number of cells in G2. Flow cytometry analysis indicate that the compounds producing differential anti-leukemia activity have no cell cycle effects, while the putative tubulin inhibitors induced cell cycle arrest resulting in an enrichment of cells in G2. These compounds were also analyzed for their ability to induce apoptosis, by measurement of non-isotypic DNA end extension in situ, CCRF-CEM was shown to express the cell surface apoptosis antigen Fas/Apo-1. The set of compounds characterized by antileukemia activity in the primary screen induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells quantitatively equal to the positive control. The second set of compounds failed to induce apoptosis at any concentration tested.
CREATING ST. THOMAS: IMAGES, TEXTS AND PILGRIM SIGNS IN THE MAKING OF A MEDIEVAL SAINT
(2008-05) Hines, Nita; Hood College Arts and Humanities; Humanities
At the time of Thomas Becket's murder over church power just after Christmas in 1170, many both inside and outside of the church considered him an unlikely candidate for sainthood. Nevertheless, his death instantly all but guaranteed he would become a saint; and from that point a textual and visual hagiography began to be produced that fit him to his new role. Thomas's popular. and then official, canonization occurred at a time when the saints' cults, with their shrines and pilgrimages, were in a period of expansion. Relics of older saints, such as Cuthbert at Durham, were being elevated into shrines, furnished with expanded and illuminated Lives, with cathedrals enlarged or refurbished to accommodate them. Thomas was, in a sense, in the right place at the right time to become the most important saint in medieval England, and the center of one of the three largest cults in Europe. His hagiography was derived from the long tradition of sainthood. With a martyrdom that was recent and witnessed, more or less, by several eminent clergy, and that had been preceded by a -Passion" involving his comparatively well-documented dispute with Henry II, his cult had a currency that those of the ancient martyr saints and the more recent confessor saints did not. We can observe in his textual hagiography, and in the illuminations that accompanied and interpreted it, the manner in which the "factual" aspects of his cult were embellished with and made to fit hagiographic narrative tropes, to transform him from ambiguous human to martyr saint. Thomas's cult, providing miracles—the vast majority healing—to pilgrims, was founded on earlier practices, but its Gothic chapel at Canterbury with his miracles portrayed in stained glass was a new experience for many of the visitors who came to it. The popularity of the cult resulted in an overwhelming number of miracles, and the stained glass windows picturing the textual miracle collections compiled by monks at Canterbury represented a relatively new hagiographic form to support his cult—representing, attracting, and admonishing pilgrims. Thomas's cult was also the first in England to employ pilgrim "signs"—ampullae and badges—bearing a new form of iconography suited to mass production and serving the functions of pilgrimage as both amulets and souvenirs. Although much has been written about the history of Thomas Becket and surveys of his art have been undertaken, little has been done to examine the interplay of text and image. This paper will examine both the textual and visual hagiography of St. Thomas and how these worked together to create a persona consistent with sainthood and to serve the different facets of his cult.
Chimeras, Dreams and Nightmares: Utopian Theory and Rhetoric in Post-Colonial Egypt
(2013-05) Hillers, Kristin; Hood College Arts and Humanities; Humanities
Utopian theory and rhetoric has influenced politics in Egypt since Free Officers Revolution. This study first analyzes utopian theory and rhetoric and the Arabic words for. Utopia, then analyzes the philosophies and speeches of Egyptian presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. The Utopian theory and rhetoric of those presidents are juxtaposed with the utopian theory found within Naguib Mathouz', Arabian Nights and Days and Ahmed Khaled Towfik's Utopia. Utopian theory and rhetoric is also exhibited in the 2011 Revolution and has serious implications for the political situation in Egypt.
Determination of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacillus Isolated from Soil
(1981-05) Hill, Valerie L.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
In order to determine antibiotic resistance in Bacillus, Gram positive bacilli were isolated from soil collected from a number of different sites in Frederick County, Md. The Bacillus strains were then tested by the standard agar dilution method for determining antibiotic resistance. Several strains which showed apparently high levels of resistance by this method were subsequently tested quantitatively. The titration of the number of surviving cells against increasing concentrations of antibiotic did not correlate with the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (NI) determined by the agar dilution method. There was in fact no significant degree of drug resistance demonstrated in any strain of Bacillus isolated.
K-ras ACTIVATION IN RAT RENAL MESENCHYMAL TUMORS INDUCED BY NICKEL SUBSULFIDE
(1990-09) Higinbotham, Kathleen G.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Renal mesenchymal tumors were induced in high incidence in male F344 rats by a single intrarenal injection of nickel subsulfide (Ni₃S₂) alone or nickel subsulfide plus iron (Fe°) or magnesium carbonate (MgCarb) (Kasprzak et al., 1990a). The tumors appeared by light microscopy to be comparable in histogenesis to the renal mesenchymal tumors induced by nitrosamines including methyl(methoxymethyl)nitrosamine (DMN-0Me) but were more pleomorphic and had a distinct tendency to metastasize. High-molecular-weight DNA was prepared from the tumors and assayed for transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells; DNAs from 4 of 16 tumors showed transforming activity. Southern analysis confirmed the presence of the rat K-ras oncogene in the transformed NIH 3T3 clone derived from one of the mesenchymal tumors. Selective oligonucleotide hybridization analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified K-ras gene sequences revealed that 7 of 9 primary tumors induced with N1₃S₂ and Fe° and 1 of 13 primary tumors induced with Ni₃S₂ alone contained exclusively GGT - GTT activating mutations in codon 12. A GGT -. GAT transition was identified in one passaged tumor which had originally contained a GGT - GTT transversion in the primary tumor. The presence of those activating codon 12 point mutations was confirmed by direct sequencing of the PCR amplified K-ras sequences. Sequencing also revealed that there were no other activating mutations at the other codons, 13 and 59-61, that result in activation of the c-K-ras proto-oncogene. These results show that in the rat kidney, Ni₃S₂ carcinogenesis is associated with site-specific activation of a specific cellular proto-oncogene in a fashion consistent with direct interaction of the carcinogen with cellular DNA encoding the target proto-oncogene.
Conflict of Interest Model Ordinances For Frederick County
(1980-12) Higginbotham, Charles E.; Hood College Law and Criminal Justice; Contemporary Government
In June, 1976, the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County appointed a Conflict of Interest Commission. The specific charge of the Commission was "to study and make recommendations back to the Board of County commissioners in any manner it sees fit. The Commission is to schedule its own meetings, formulate its own organization and own procedures for carrying out its mission." The establishment of the Commission resulted from a year long effort of Frederick County resident Sanford G. Blum, a political activist and twice an unsuccessful candidate for County Commissioner. The establishment of this Commission passed the Board of County Commissioners by a narrow vote. Opposition to the Commission was formidable. For example, immediately before the formulation of the Commission, an ordinance was proposed by Commissioner Sterling Bollinger which would have given the Board President, Lawrence A. Dorsey, power to rule on what was a conflict of interest. This ordinance was defeated by a 3-2 vote. The failure of the Frederick County Conflict of Interest Commission was apparent from the start. Many of the appointed members vigorously opposed any effort by the Commission in addressing the conflict of interest issue. Some members refused to attend regularly scheduled meetings, attempting to disqualify the committee's work by failure to obtain a quorum. This technique by the opponents to conflict of interest measures finally proved successful. In November, 1976, a work group consisting of MS. Betty Floyd (League of Women Voters), Donald Foster (attorney with the National District Attorneys' Association), W. Milnor Roberts (Frederick City Attorney) and Charles Higginbotham (Chairman of the Commission) began work on ordinances for Frederick County. At that time Article 33, Section 29-10, of the 1973 Acts of the General Assembly stated that counties may enact financial disclosure ordinance and implied that conflict of interest ordinances could be enacted also. Several drafts of the proposed ordinances—Conflict of Interest, Financial Disclosure, Conflict of Interest Commission—were prepared and reviewed by the entire Commission. The author of this thesis was the principal writer of these ordinances. On April 25, 1977, the entire Commission was scheduled to vote on the ordinance. Of the 11 member Commission, 4 members voted in favor of adopting the ordinances, one voted against the ordinances, and six members abstained. Since April, 1977, the Conflict of Interest Commission has been inactive, however, the need for such ordinances has been recognized. The 1980 Acts of the Maryland General Assembly repealed Article 19A, Conflict of Interest, and transferred Article 33, Financial Disclosure, with amendments, to a new law entitled Maryland Public Ethics Laws, Article 40A. Section 6-101 of Article 40A requires that by December 31, 1980, every county of the State shall enact conflict of interest provisions. The provisions adopted by the local government shall be similar to provisions contained in Article 40A, but can be modified to make the provisions relevant to that jurisdiction. Also, Article 40A, Section 6-201, allows for each county to establish a financial disclosure ordinance. This local ordinance was first required to be adopted by December 31, 1980; however, the deadline has been extended to July 1, 1981. The purpose of this thesis is to develop model ordinances addressing Conflicts of Interest, Financial Disclosure, and establishing a Conflict of Interest Commission for Frederick County, Maryland.

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