Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science Degree in Biology (Ecology-track)." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 44-55.

Thesis (D. Min.)--McCormick Theological Seminary, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Botany, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound frequently present in cosmetic formulations, induces skin irritation when topically applied, but the mechanism by which cinnamaldehyde produces such skin reactions is unclear. Here, we showed that cinnamaldehyde induced ear edema in mice (1-6 μg/ear) with a maximum effect with 4 μg/ear (Emax of 0.18 ± 0.02 mm and an ED50 value of 2.0 (1.1- 3.4 μg/ear). Cinnamaldehyde can induce leukocyte infiltration detected by an increase in MPO activity and confirmed by histological analyses. The edema and cellular infiltration evoked by 4 μg/ear of cinnamaldehyde was prevented through topical application of ruthenium red, a non selective TRP antagonist or by camphor and HC030031, two TRPA1 receptor antagonists. In contrast, the edema and the leukocyte infiltration was unaffected by the TRPV1 receptor antagonist SB366791. Cinnamaldehydeinduced edema but not cellular infiltration was also prevented though topical application of the tachykinin NK1 antagonist aprepitant, indicating a neuropeptides release phenomenon in this process. Also, we observed that repeated topical applications of cinnamaldehyde (4 μg/ear) did not induced sensitization/desensitization alterations. Interestingly, the TRPV1 antagonist, capsaicin, repeated treatment abrogated its edematogenic response, confirming the desensitization process and decrease partially the cinnamaldehyde induced edema, suggesting the involvement of capsaicin-sensitive fibers and additional targets in cinnamaldehyde response. The present results demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde induces mouse skin inflammation through a mechanism involved the TRPA1 receptor activation and subsequent leukocyte infiltration. In addition, evidence supports the assumption that the tachykinin NK1 receptor is involved in these inflammatory responses. / O cinamaldeído é um composto natural frequentemente encontrado em formulações cosméticas, capaz de induzir irritação na pele quando aplicado topicamente, porém o mecanismo pelo qual o cinamaldeído produz estas reações ainda é desconhecido. Neste trabalho demonstramos que o cinamaldeído foi capaz de induzir edema de orelha em camundongos (1-6 μg/orelha) com um efeito máximo obtido com a dose de 4 μg/orelha (Emax de 0,18 ± 0,02 mm e um DE50 de 2,0 (1,1- 3,4) μg/orelha). O cinamaldeído foi capaz ainda de induzir infiltração leucocitária detectada por um aumento na atividade da MPO e confirmada por análise histológica. O edema e a infiltração leucocitária iniciados após aplicação tópica de 4 μg/orelha de cinamaldeído foi prevenido pela aplicação tópica de vermelho de rutênio, um antagonista TRP não seletivo, e por cânfora e HC030031, dois antagonistas seletivos TRPA1. Por outro lado, a aplicação de SB366791, um antagonista seletivo TRPV1, não alterou o edema nem a infiltração leucocitária. Ainda, o edema induzido pelo cinamaldeído foi prevenido pela aplicação tópica de aprepitant, um antagonista seletivo do receptor NK1 para taquicininas, sugerindo que a liberação de neuropeptídeos esteja envolvida neste processo. Também foi observado que a aplicação tópica repetida de cinamaldeído 4 μg/orelha não foi capaz de induzir processos de ensibilização/dessensibilização. No entanto, o tratamento repetidocom o antagonista TRPV1, capsaicina, aboliu o edema induzido pela própria capsaicina, confirmando a ocorrência de dessensibilização, e diminuiu parcialmente o edema induzido pelo cinamaldeído sugerindo o envolvimento de fibras sensíveis a capsaicina, além de outras vias, neste processo. Os resultados demonstram que o cinamaldeído induz um processo inflamatório na pele através de um mecanismo que envolve a ativação do receptor TRPA1 e consequente infiltração leucocitária.

ABSTRACT UNDERSTORY PLANT COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN FORESTS INVADED BY GARLIC MUSTARD (ALLIARIA PETIOLATA) MAY 2016 JASON ALLEN AYLWARD, B.S., PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE M.S. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Kristina Stinson Plant invasions represent a significant threat to the structure and function of natural ecosystems. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has been identified as a threat to native communities mostly through small-scale studies and focused experiments. In this in situ observational study I examined the effects of garlic mustard invasion on species composition across multiple sites by comparing plant diversity and composition in invaded and adjacent non-invaded communities. Mean Shannon diversity was higher in invaded compared to non-invaded plots and invasion was associated with greater densities of invasive species such as burning bush (Euonymus alatus), and greater celandine (Chelidonium majus). In ordination space, the sites grouped more closely by geographic region than by invasion status, suggesting that regional environmental variation is important for community structure. My findings indicate that garlic mustard invasion is associated with other invasive plants, and that the understory plant community varies considerably across the region regardless of invasion status. Overall we show that community structure in garlic mustard invaded forest understories is not consistent across the landscape.

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No / This study was designed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of monofloral Indian mustard bee pollen (MIMBP). MThe nutritional value of MIMBP was examined in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy value. Its chemical composition in terms of total polyphenol and flavonoid content was determined. MIMBP was screened for free flavonoid aglycones by developing and validating a high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. MIMBP was analyzed for in vitro antioxidant effect in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. MIMBP was found to be comprised of proteins ((182.2+/-5.9) g/kg), fats ((137.7+/-6.8) g/kg) and carbohydrates ((560.6+/-17.4) g/kg), which result in its high energy value ((17 616.7+/-78.6) kJ/kg). MIMBP was found to contain polyphenols ((18 286.1+/-374.0) mg gallic acid equivalent/kg) and flavonoids ((1 223.5+/-53.1) mg quercetin equivalent/kg). The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol ((65.4+/-0.5) mg/kg) and quercetin ((51.4+/-0.4) mg/kg) in MIMBP, which can be used as markers for determining the quality of bee pollen. The MIMBP extract showed DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 54.79 mug/mL. The MIMBP was found to be a rich source of nutrients providing high caloric value, which makes it a candidate for a potential nutraceutical agent. The study also illustrated the high antioxidant content of MIMBP, especially in the principle polyphenols and flavonoids, which suggests its potential role in the prevention of free radical-implicated diseases. The DPPH-scavenging effect of MIMBP further confirmed its antioxidant potential. Additionally, we developed a simple, specific and accurate HPLC-PDA method for the identification and quantification of free flavonoid aglycones. This can be applied in future screenings of the quality of pollen collected by honeybees.