Browsing by Author "Langford, Melanie L."
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Item Analysis of Metal-Organic Framework Stability, Antimicrobial Properties, and Dental Applications(Florida Southern College, 2022-05) Marusko, Benjamin; Eubank, Jarrod F.; Langford, Melanie L.The development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), an analysis of their properties, and exploration of their potential biomedical applications, specifically dental, are areas of modern biochemical interest focus on through this study. Previous research has shown these frameworks (and/or their components) have the potential for antimicrobial properties, and we hypothesized that they may be used on dental implants to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria responsible for peri-implantitis. This project has consisted of the development and structural analysis of several different novel frameworks with a high potential for microbial inhibition. Through the incorporation of antimicrobial metal ions, bridging ligands, and possibly terminal ligands there is the potential for a synergistic antimicrobial effect greater than any of the individual components. Structural stability has been monitored under varying environmental conditions, such as humidity; changes have been recorded and analyzed for potential functional applications in biological conditions. A common characteristic of MOFs is the modularity of components, which could allow for the addition of drug compounds or ligands with higher antimicrobial effects for a stronger inhibition of bacterial growth. Key MOFs were selected for antimicrobial analysis through Kirby-Bauer inhibition tests on the common oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The frameworks presenting significant bacterial inhibition were then tested for the potential of growth directly onto the titanium implants used in a majority of oral surgeries. Our research project has resulted in novel MOFs with antimicrobial properties that can be further functionalized and grown directly onto titanium implants for the prevention of infection immediately post oral surgery.Item The potential interplay between the glandular microbiome and scent marking behavior in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)(Wiley, 2021-10) Bowen, Malique; Miles, Carly; Hegseth, Ryan; Anderson, Clayton M.; Brandon, Christopher S.; Langford, Melanie L.; Wolovich, Christy K.In mammals, scent marking behavior is a pervasive form of chemical communication that regulates social interactions within and between groups. Glandular microbiota consist of bacterial communities capable of producing chemical cues used in olfactory communication. Despite countless studies on scent marking in primates, few have examined the microbiota associated with glandular secretions. Nancy Ma's owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) are nocturnal, socially monogamous primates that frequently scent mark using their subcaudal glands. Previous analyses revealed that unique chemical signatures of Aotus may convey information about sex and age. We used positive reinforcement to sample the subcaudal glands of 23 captive owl monkeys to describe their glandular microbiomes and examine how patterns in these bacterial communities vary with age, sex, rearing environment and/or social group (pair identity). We coupled these analyses with behavioral observations to examine patterns in their scent marking behavior. We isolated 31 bacterial species from Phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, consistent with the dermal and glandular microbiomes of other primates. Several bacterial taxa we identified produce volatile organic compounds, which may contribute to olfactory communication. These bacterial communities are best predicted by an interaction between sex, rearing environment and pair identity rather than any of these variables alone. Within mated pairs of A. nancymaae, males and females scent mark their nest boxes at similar frequencies. In some pairs, rates of scent marking by males and females fluctuated over time in a similar manner. Pairs that had been together longer tended to exhibit the greatest similarities in their rates of scent marking. Together, these findings suggest that scent marking behavior and close social interactions with pair mates in Aotus may influence bacterial transmission and their glandular microbiomes. Chemical communication, including coordinated scent marking, may play a role in strengthening pair bonds, signaling pair status and/or in mate guarding in this socially monogamous primate.Item Shell of a life: A review of the geographic frequency of amphipods, cnidarians and annelids as loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) epibionts(Florida Southern College, 2021-05) Martin, Bailey; Langford, Melanie L.Loggerhead sea turtles carry diverse communities of organisms including many invertebrate species on their carapace as epibionts. Investigating the frequency of amphipods, cnidarians and annelids from several epibiont studies in different hemispheres reveals geographic information such as migratory behavior about these three groups and their relationships with loggerhead sea turtles. Frequency data from 383 loggerheads in 8 epibiont identification studies was extrapolated and analyzed. A total of 84 invertebrate species were described among these studies. 7% of the total species (6) were cosmopolitan, or found in both hemispheres. The eastern hemisphere displayed the highest overall number of species (49), followed by the western hemisphere with 29 species. The only group found in greater frequency in the western hemisphere was the cnidarians, and this study suggests that cnidarians reside primarily in one hemisphere or the other, therefore sea turtles may lose them from the carapace when migrating. Annelida species were found in low frequencies in both geographic locations but should be expected on loggerhead carapaces in the Mediterranean. Overall, many invertebrates, including ones described in this review, could be deemed novel obligate commensals of loggerheads and their relationship with migrating species provides insight to movement patterns and the life stages of sea turtles.