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Description
In this thesis, glycan nodes, the basic subunits of complex biological sugars, were studied to determine the reproducibility of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) based methylation analysis of whole blood plasma by normalization using an internal standard of heavy permethylated glycans. Glycans are complex biological sugars that have a variety of applications in the human body and will display aberrant compositions when produced by cancerous cells. Thus an assay to determine their composition can be used as a diagnostic tool. It was shown that the assay may have potential use, but needs further refinement to become an improvement over current methods by analyzing the results of ratio-determination and replicate experiments.
ContributorsMiyasaki, Tyler Takeo (Author) / Borges, Chad (Thesis director) / Van Horn, Wade (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor) / Chemical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Western diets, high in dietary fat and red meat, are associated with hyperglycemia and weight gain, symptoms that promote insulin resistance and diabetes. Previous studies have shown that elevated glucose promotes glycation of circulating proteins such as albumin, which is thought to lead to hyperglycemia complications. It was hypothesized that diets with no meat consumption (pesco-vegetarian and lacto-vegetarian) would reduce protein glycation, in comparison to a diet with meat. Forty six healthy adult omnivorous subjects were randomized into one of three groups and instructed to either consume red meat (i.e. meat) or poultry twice per day (control), eliminate meat and increase fish consumption (pesco-vegetarian), or adopt a vegetarian diet devoid of fish, meat or poultry (lacto-vegetarian) for four weeks. Fasting plasma samples were collected from participants at baseline and after 4 weeks of the dietary intervention. Plasma glucose concentrations were measured using a commercially available kit. Percent glycated albumin was measured on a separate aliquot of plasma by mass spectrometry. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly increased following 4-weeks of pesco-vegetarian diet (P=0.002, paired t-test). Neither the lacto-vegetarian (P=0.898) or the control diet (P=0.233) affected plasma glucose concentrations. Despite the significant increase in plasma glucose following a pesco-vegetarian diet, no change in percent glycated albumin was observed (P>0.50, ANOVA). These findings may indicate a protective effect of the pesco-vegetarian diet on protein glycation in the presence of elevated plasma glucose and suggest the need for additional studies to examine the link between increased fish consumption and glucose regulation.
ContributorsRaad, Noor (Author) / Sweazea, Karen (Thesis director, Committee member) / Borges, Chad (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This project is a critical look at Chicano artist Vincent Valdez's 2002-2004 series Stations. The theoretical framework for this work is the concept of cultural citizenship, which refers to a variety of ways in which marginalized groups of people create, fight for, and retain space, identity, and rights within American society through acts of daily life. This research considers how the ten large-scale charcoal drawings that comprise Stations contribute to the construction and representation of distinct and unique Latino spaces and identities. Valdez establishes space in the sense of belonging and community engagement that his work allows. Within this context, thoughtful attention is paid to the cultural meaning of the artist's subject choices of boxing and religion. This research considers the significance of these subject choices and how the connections between the two create unique spaces of shared experience and consciousness for a viewer of the work. However, the parallels that Valdez draws between the Christ figure and his boxer also allow for a careful examination of the representations and contradictions of contemporary constructions of masculinity that are present in the series. Within this project, the work of Gloria Anzaldúa is critical in understanding and discussing the fluid nature of Chicano identity. This study also considers how in the tradition of Chicana writers, Valdez expresses and affirms identity through autobiographical methods. Further, the artist's use of charcoal to create these large scale drawings is considered for its narrative qualities. This study concludes that Valdez's series Stations is an act of cultural citizenship.
ContributorsStemm Patel, Shannon (Author) / Malagamba-Ansótegui, Amelia (Thesis advisor) / Mesch, Claudia (Committee member) / Sweeney, Gray (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2010
Description
The Indian princess began as an imposition, a Eurocentric conception based in preconceived notions of cultural structures and gendered power roles - a mixture of noble woman and provocative demure maiden - created by Anglo men to epitomize an idyllic image of otherness and womanhood. This analysis begins by exploring the history of the icon that was first conceived through sixteenth century explorer's tales of exotic queens then traces her progression through the romantic idealizations of the Indian woman Pocahontas. Research then explores how the character, comprised of a mixture of feathers, beads, and buckskin, was implemented into performance, and discusses how her flesh and blood enactment became critical to her survival. Drawing on the theories of contemporary critics, final examination turns to twentieth century perceptions of the Princess and reactions to her by contemporary Native artists whose manipulations of the character opens alternative dialogs about the stereotype to offer reconstructions of her historic discourse.
ContributorsHanawalt, Tammi Jo (Author) / Duncan, Kate (Thesis advisor) / Fahlman, Betsy (Committee member) / Malagamba-Ansótegui, Amelia (Committee member) / Mesch, Claudia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
As life expectancy increases worldwide, age related diseases are becoming greater health concerns. One of the most prevalent age-related diseases in the United States is dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most common form, accounting for 60-80% of cases. Genetics plays a large role in a person’s risk of developing AD. Familial AD, which makes up less than 1% of all AD cases, is caused by autosomal dominant gene mutations and has almost 100% penetrance. Genetic risk factors are believed to make up about 49%-79% of the risk in sporadic cases. Many different genetic risk factors for both familial and sporadic AD have been identified, but there is still much work to be done in the field of AD, especially in non-Caucasian populations. This review summarizes the three major genes responsible for familial AD, namely APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2. Also discussed are seven identified genetic risk factors for sporadic AD, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the APOE, ABCA7, NEDD9, CASS4, PTK2B, CLU, and PICALM genes. An overview of the main function of the proteins associated with the genes is given, along with the supposed connection to AD pathology.
ContributorsRichey, Alexandra Emmeline (Author) / Brafman, David (Thesis director) / Raman, Sreedevi (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
Dielectrophoresis is a separations strategy that has the potential to separate small amounts of different proteins from each other. The forces at play in the channel used for dielectrophoresis are electroosmotic flow (EOF), electrophoresis (EP), and dielectrophoresis (DEP). EOF is the force exerted on liquid from an applied potential (1). EP is the force exerted on charged particles in a uniform electric field (2). DEP is the force exerted on particles (charged and uncharged) in a non-uniform electric field (3). This experiment was focused on the testing of a new microfluidic device to see if it could improve the focusing of proteins in dielectrophoresis. It was predicted that the addition of a salt bridge would improve focusing by preventing the ions created by the electrolysis of water around the electrodes from interacting with the proteins and causing aggregation, among other problems. Control trials using the old device showed that electrolysis was likely occurring and was the causal agent for poor outcomes. After applying the electric potential for some time a pH front traveled through the channel causing aggregation of proteins and the current in the channel decreased rapidly, even while the voltage was held constant. The resistance in the channels of the control trials also slightly decreased over time, until the pH shift occurred, at which time it increased rapidly. Experimental trials with a new device that included salt bridges eliminated this pH front and had a roughly linear increase of current in the channel with the voltage applied. This device can now be used in future research with protein dielectrophoresis, including in the potential differentiation of different proteins. References: 1) Electroosmosis. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2. Oxford University Press: Oxford, England. 2006. 2) Electrophoresis. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2. Oxford University Press: Oxford, England. 2006. 3) Dielectrophoresis. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2. Oxford University Press: Oxford, England. 2006.
ContributorsHayes, Katelyn Donna (Author) / Hayes, Mark (Thesis director) / Borges, Chad (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Viral protein U (Vpu) is a type-III integral membrane protein encoded by Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV- 1). It is expressed in infected host cells and plays several roles in viral progeny escape from infected cells, including down-regulation of CD4 receptors. But key structure/function questions remain regarding the mechanisms by which the Vpu protein contributes to HIV-1 pathogenesis. Here we describe expression of Vpu in bacteria, its purification and characterization. We report the successful expression of PelB-Vpu in Escherichia coli using the leader peptide pectate lyase B (PelB) from Erwinia carotovora. The protein was detergent extractable and could be isolated in a very pure form. We demonstrate that the PelB signal peptide successfully targets Vpu to the cell membranes and inserts it as a type I membrane protein. PelB-Vpu was biophysically characterized by circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering experiments and was shown to be an excellent candidate for elucidating structural models.
ContributorsDeb, Arpan (Author) / Johnson, William (Author) / Kline, Alexander (Author) / Scott, Boston (Author) / Meador, Lydia (Author) / Srinivas, Dustin (Author) / Martin Garcia, Jose Manuel (Author) / Dorner, Katerina (Author) / Borges, Chad (Author) / Misra, Rajeev (Author) / Hogue, Brenda (Author) / Fromme, Petra (Author) / Mor, Tsafrir (Author) / ASU Biodesign Center Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy (Contributor) / College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Biodesign Institute (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Applied Structural Discovery (Contributor) / Personalized Diagnostics (Contributor)
Created2017-02-22
Description
I have conducted a creative that captures the power of women through an artistic perspective. The title of the creative project is “A Tribute to the Women Among us,” because this project’s purpose is to express gratitude for the women that fought for the rights I have today, and for the women I encounter in marches, continuing the fight. I have taken photographs of women and children at women's marches in the United States and in France, yielding a total of 10 photographs I will be presenting at my defense, and printing out to sell. All the profits made from the photographs will be donated to planned parenthood.
ContributorsMiss Ozuna, Alejandra Miss (Author) / Anand, Julia (Thesis director) / Mesch, Claudia (Committee member) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Cell viability is an important assessment in cell culture to characterize the health of the cell population and confirm if cells are alive. Morphology or end-line assays are used to determine cell viability of entire populations. Intracellular pO2 levels is indicative of cell health and metabolism that can be used as a factor to asses cell viability in an in-line assay. Siloxane based pO2 sensing nanoprobes present a modality to visualize intracellular pO2. Using fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), pO2 levels can be mapped intracellular as a highly functional in-line assay for cell viability. FLIM is an imaging modality that reconstructs an image based of its fluorescent lifetime. Nanoprobes were synthesized in different manufacturing/storage conditions. The nanoprobes for both long- and short-term storage were characterized in a cell free environment testing for changes in fluorescent intensity, average and maximum nanoprobe diameter. The nanoprobes were validated in two different culture systems, 2D and microcarrier culture systems, for human derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons. Long- and short-term storage nanoprobes were used to label different neuronal based culture systems to asses labeling efficiency through fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. NPCs and neurons in each culture system was tested to see if nanoprobe labeling effected cellular phenotype for traits such as: cell proliferation, gene expression, and calcium imaging. Long-term and short-term storage nanoprobes were successfully validated for both NPCs and neurons in all culture systems. Assessments of the pO2 sensing nanoprobes will be further developed to create a highly functional and efficient in-line test for cell viability.
ContributorsLeyasi, Salma (Author) / Brafman, David (Thesis director) / Kodibagkar, Vikram (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Over 5.8 million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the sixth highest mortality rate in the United States. No known cure or substantially life-extending treatment exists. With the growing aging population these numbers are only expected to increase to about 13.8 million by the year 2050. Alzheimer’s is a multifactorial disease, giving rise to two main types: familial AD (FAD) and sporadic AD (SAD). Although there are different factors associated with each type of the disease, both FAD and SAD result in neuronal and synaptic loss and remain difficult to model in-vitro and treat overall.
Current advances in cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases overcome a variety of limitations possessed in animal and post-mortem human models. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a platform with cells that can self-renew and differentiate into mature and functional cell types. HiPSCs are at the forefront of neurodegenerative disease research because of their ability to differentiate into neural cell types. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a protein encoded by the APOE gene found on chromosome 19 of the human genome. There are three common polymorphisms in the APOE gene, resulting from a single amino acid change in the protein. The presence of these polymorphisms are studied as associated risk factors of developing AD. Different combinations of these alleles closely relate to the risk a patient has in developing Alzheimer’s disease. The risk associated effects of this gene are primarily investigated, however the protective effects are not examined to the same extent.
This research aims to overcome the existing limitations in cell differentiations and improve cell population purity that limits the variables present in the culture. To do this, this study optimized a differentiation protocol by separating and purifying neuronal cell populations to study the potential protective effects associated with ApoE, a risk factor seen in SAD. This platform aims to use a purified cell population to effectively analyze cell type specific affects of the ApoE risk factor, specifically in neurons.
Current advances in cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases overcome a variety of limitations possessed in animal and post-mortem human models. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a platform with cells that can self-renew and differentiate into mature and functional cell types. HiPSCs are at the forefront of neurodegenerative disease research because of their ability to differentiate into neural cell types. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a protein encoded by the APOE gene found on chromosome 19 of the human genome. There are three common polymorphisms in the APOE gene, resulting from a single amino acid change in the protein. The presence of these polymorphisms are studied as associated risk factors of developing AD. Different combinations of these alleles closely relate to the risk a patient has in developing Alzheimer’s disease. The risk associated effects of this gene are primarily investigated, however the protective effects are not examined to the same extent.
This research aims to overcome the existing limitations in cell differentiations and improve cell population purity that limits the variables present in the culture. To do this, this study optimized a differentiation protocol by separating and purifying neuronal cell populations to study the potential protective effects associated with ApoE, a risk factor seen in SAD. This platform aims to use a purified cell population to effectively analyze cell type specific affects of the ApoE risk factor, specifically in neurons.
ContributorsFrisch, Carlye Arin (Author) / Brafman, David (Thesis director) / Tian, Xiaojun (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05