Tribute to Professor Fred Zacharias

Personal dedication to Prof. Fred Zacharias

Geothermal reservoir simulation

The prediction of long-term geothermal reservoir performance and the environmental impact of exploiting this resource are two important problems associated with the utilization of geothermal energy for power production. Our research effort addresses these problems through numerical simulation. Computer codes based on the solution of partial-differential equations using finite-element techniques are being prepared to simulate multiphase energy transport, energy transport in fractured porous reservoirs, well bore phenomena, and subsidence

Expression of regions of Apm1p in E coli. and purification of the expressed proteins [abstract]

Abstract only availableAn active area of cell biological research is the study of intracellular protein trafficking. Improper function of protein trafficking has pathological consequences, as the malfunction of certain transport systems can give rise to certain cancers. Our lab focuses on the dynamic mechanisms of transport between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and endosomes using the model protein Ste13p. The goal of my project is to deepen our understanding of Ste13p retrieval from the early endosome to the TGN via binding of the adaptor complex (AP-1). Previous research suggests that the C-terminal domain of the AP-1 subunit Apm1p interacts with a sorting signal contained within amino acids 1-12 of the cytosolic domain of Ste13p. With this in mind, we developed plasmids that expressed different regions of the C-terminal domain of Apm1p in E coli. The hope was to find a construct that provided both high expression and ease of purification. As part of a collaboration, we intended to discover how the 1-12 region of Ste13p binds to Apm1p on an atomic level. Each construct was contained within the expression vector pET28a(+) which is under the control of a T7 promoter. The results led us to choose Apm1p 161-475 as the best construct. Using a nickel column, we purified this Apm1p construct due to the nickel's binding affinity for the engineered 6xHistidine tag. Soon, we will perform a pull down assay to confirm the binding of Apm1 161-475 to a peptide that represents amino acids 1-12 of Ste13- GST. After completion of the assay, we will send our construct to our collaborator who will co-crystallize the AP-1 derivative with a Ste13p peptide to structurally define the binding between these two proteins. Structural data will make it easier to understand how mutations could affect the binding of the signal with the adaptor protein, thus allowing more detailed manipulations of both proteins

Lampyrids recovered from emergence traps in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Citation: Buschman, L. & Faust, L. (2014). Lampyrids Recovered from Emergence Traps in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 87(2), 245-248. https://doi.org/10.2317/JKES130409.1Photinus carolinus Green is a popular firefly that attracts thousands of visitors each year to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) (Faust, 2009). This firefly is famous for its synchronous flash display in late May and June. The adult flash behavior of this firefly was described by Lloyd (1966) and the synchronous flash behavior was further detailed by Copeland and Moiseff (1995) and Faust (2009, 2010). The biology and natural history of this insect was reported by Faust (2010). This firefly is dependent on larval feeding for its nutrition (adults are nonfeeding), but we know little about the seldom seen larval stage. Rearing has repeatedly proved difficult. For instance, though Buschman (1977) was able to record field and some laboratory observations on field collected larvae, only 2 of the original 59 Photinus consimilis Green complex larvae (closely related to P. carolinus) were successfully reared to adulthood (unpubl. obs.). These larvae were found in marshy habitat feeding on small annelids (Buschman, 1977). Some 40 yr later the biology and natural history of larval Photinus spp. remains poorly understood. This study was done to determine if the fireflies were emerging from the soil/leaf litter in the firefly habitat. This information on larval habitat will be important for understanding the conservation, survival and/or maintenance of fireflies like P. carolinus. It could also support the hypothesis that they are feeding on earthworms and/or other organisms in the soil and leaf litter

Pre-Liver Transplant: Tips Versus Distal Splenorenal Shunt

Recurrent variceal bleeding in liver transplant candidates with end-stage liver disease can complicate or even prohibit a subsequent transplant procedure (OLT). Endoscopic sclero-therapy and medical therapy are considered as first-line management with surgical shunts reserved for refractory situations. Surgical shunts can be associated with a high mortality in this population and may complicate subsequent OLT. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been recommended in these patients as a bridge to OLT. This is a new modality that has not been compared with previously established therapies such as the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS). In this study we report our experience with 35 liver transplant recipients who had a previous TIPS (18 patients) or DSRS (17 patients) for variceal bleeding. The TIPS group had a significantly larger proportion of critically ill and Child-Pugh C patients. Mean operating time was more prolonged in the DSRS group (P=0.014) but transfusion requirements were similar. Intraoperative portal vein blood flow measurements averaged 2132±725 ml/min in the TIPS group compared with 1120±351ml/min in the DSRS group (P<0.001). Arterial flows were similar. Mean ICU and hospital stays were similar. There were 3 hospital mortalities in the DSRS group and none in the TIPS group (P=0.1). We conclude that TIPS is a valuable tool in the management of recurrent variceal bleeding prior to liver transplantation. Intra0Perative hemodynamic measurements suggest a theoretical advantage with TIPS. In a group of patients with advanced liver disease we report an outcome that is similar to patients treated with DSRS prior to liver transplantation. The role of TIPS in the treatment of nontransplant candidates remains to be clarified

Pneumococcal Serotype-Specific Antibodies Persist through Early Childhood after Infant Immunization: Follow-Up from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: In a previous UK multi-center randomized study 278 children received three doses of 7-valent (PCV-7) or 13- valent (PCV-13) pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. At 13 months of age, most of these children had pneumococcal serotype-specific IgG concentrations $0.35 mg/ml and opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) titers$8. Methods: Children who had participated in the original study were enrolled again at 3.5 years of age. Persistence of immunity following infant immunization with either PCV-7 or PCV-13 and the immune response to a PCV-13 booster at preschool age were investigated. Results: In total, 108 children were followed-up to the age of 3.5 years and received a PCV-13 booster at this age. At least 76% of children who received PCV-7 or PCV-13 in infancy retained serotype-specific IgG concentrations $0.35 mg/ml against each of 5/7 shared serotypes. For serotypes 4 and 18C, persistence was lower at 22–42$0.35 mg/ml against each of 4/6 of the additional PCV-13 serotypes; for serotypes 1 and 3 this proportion was 45% and 52%. In the PCV-7 group these percentages were significantly lower for serotypes 1, 5 and 7F. A pre-school PCV-13 booster was highly immunogenic and resulted in low rates of local and systemic adverse effects. Conclusion: Despite some decline in antibody from 13 months of age, these data suggest that a majority of pre-school children maintain protective serotype-specific antibody concentrations following conjugate vaccination at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0109547