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Effect Of Acute L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine (Sustamine) And Electrolyte Ingestion On Plasma Electrolytes, Physiologic Measures, And Neuromuscular Fatigue During Endurance Exercise, William Mccormack
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two dose levels of L-Alanyl-LGlutamine in a commercially available sports drink to the sports drink only on time to exhaustion, neuromuscular fatigue and physiological measures during prolonged endurance exercise. Twelve endurance-trained males (23.5±3.7 yrs; 175.5±5.4 cm; 70.7±7.6 kg) performed four trials, each consisting of 1 hr treadmill runs at 75% of VO2peak followed by a run to exhaustion at 90% of VO2peak. The trials differed in type of hydration. One trial consisted of no hydration (NHY), another required ingestion of only a sports drink (ET), and two trials required …
Validation Of A Novel Hypothesis Of Generating Foam Cells By Its Use To Study Reverse Cholesterol Transport, Bhaswati Sengupta
Validation Of A Novel Hypothesis Of Generating Foam Cells By Its Use To Study Reverse Cholesterol Transport, Bhaswati Sengupta
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Generation of foam cells, an essential step for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) studies, uses the technique of receptor dependent macrophage loading with radiolabeled acetylated Low Density Lipoprotein (Ac-LDL). In this study, we used the ability of a biologically relevant detergent molecule, Lysophosphatidylcholine (Lyso PtdCho), to form mixed micelles with cholesterol or cholesteryl ester (CE) to generate macrophage foam cells. Fluorescent or radiolabelled cholesterol / Lyso PtdCho mixed micelles were prepared and incubated with RAW 264.7 or mouse peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that such micelles were quite stable at 4°C and retained the solubilized cholesterol during one month storage. Macrophages incubated …
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanism Behind Mutant Sod Toxicity And Improving Current Therapeutic Strategies, Cassandra Dennys
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanism Behind Mutant Sod Toxicity And Improving Current Therapeutic Strategies, Cassandra Dennys
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an always lethal motor neuron disease with unknown pathogenesis. Inhibitors of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) have limited neuroprotection in some models of motor neuron degeneration. However the direct effect of Hsp90 inhibition on motor neurons is unknown. Here we show that Hsp90 inhibition induced motor neuron death through activation of the P2X7 receptor. Motor neuron death required phosphatase and tensein homolog (PTEN)-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway leading to Fas receptor activation and caspase dependent death. The relevance of Hsp90 for motor neuron survival was investigated in mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase …
A Time-Course Analysis Of Behavioral Plasticity And Differential Gene Expression Patterns In Response To Density In Schistocerca Americana (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Steven Gotham
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of the genotype to express alternative phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions and this is considered to be an adaptation in which a species can survive and persist in a rapidly changing environment. Some grasshoppers and locusts are capable of expressing an extreme form of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, known as locust phase polyphenism. At low population density, the individuals typically have a cryptic coloration as nymphs, are less active, and only seek out conspecifics for reproductive purposes. At high density, however, they develop a drastically different phenotype in which they have a conspicuous coloration, …
Effects Of Weaning Age On Body Composition And Growth Of Ex Situ California Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus) Pups, Brandon Davis
Effects Of Weaning Age On Body Composition And Growth Of Ex Situ California Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus) Pups, Brandon Davis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Pinnipeds exhibit a wide range of lactation strategies that vary from just a few days to nearly three years in duration. Phocids have a relatively short, intense nursing period culminating with weaning after just a few days or weeks, while dependent otariids generally take several months of consuming a combined milk and solid food diet before being completely independent. The transition to nutritional independence can be particularly challenging for newly weaned pups, which must adjust to behavioral, physiological and nutritional changes as a milk diet is replaced with solid food. An interruption in energy resources during this formative stage could …
Effect Of Acute L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine (Sustamine) And Electrolyte Ingestion On Cognitive Function, Multiple Object Tracking And Reaction Time Following Prolonged Exercise, Gabriel Pruna
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Changes in physiological function occurring during a body water deficit may result in significant decrements in performance, cognitive function and fine motor control during exercise. This may be due to the magnitude of the body water deficit. Rehydration strategies are important to prevent these deleterious effects in performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes before and after prolonged exercise of an alanine-glutamine dipeptide (AG) on cognitive function and reaction time. Twelve male endurance-trained runners (age: 23.5 [plus or minus] 3.7 y; height: 175.5 [plus or minus] 5.4 cm; weight: 70.7 [plus or minus] 7.6 kg) participated …
Integral Projection Models Reveal Interactive Effects Of Biotic Factors And Disturbance On Plant Demography, Matthew Tye
Integral Projection Models Reveal Interactive Effects Of Biotic Factors And Disturbance On Plant Demography, Matthew Tye
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Understanding factors limiting population growth is crucial to evaluating species persistence in changing environments. I used Integral Projection Models (IPMs) to elucidate the role of biotic interactions and disturbance on population growth rate in two plants: Helianthemum squamatum, a perennial endemic to gypsum habitats in central Spain, and Liatris ohlingerae, a long-lived perennial endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge of central Florida. In H. squamatum, there was a strong positive effect of trampling in the site with the highest plant density and moderate positive effects of seed addition in the site with the lowest plant density. Differences in treatment effectiveness …
In Vitro Characterization Of Unmodified And Pyroglutamylated Alzheimer's Amyloid Beta Peptide, Jason Matos
In Vitro Characterization Of Unmodified And Pyroglutamylated Alzheimer's Amyloid Beta Peptide, Jason Matos
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plaques of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) are a hallmark trait of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the precise role of Aβ aggregates is not well understood. Recent studies have identified that naturally occurring N-terminal truncation and pyroglutamylation of Aβ significantly increases its neurotoxicity by an unknown mechanism. Content of pyroglutamylated Aβ (pE-Aβ) in AD brains has been shown to reach up to 50% of total Aβ. Modified pE-Aβ co-aggregates with Aβ by a seeding mechanism and forms structurally distinct and highly toxic oligomers. We studied structural transitions of the full-length Aβ1-42, its pyroglutamylated form AβpE3-42, their 9:1 (Aβ1-42/AβpE3-42) and 1:1 molar …
Effects Of Biotic Interactions On Coastal Wetland Communities With Applications For Restoration, Melinda Donnelly
Effects Of Biotic Interactions On Coastal Wetland Communities With Applications For Restoration, Melinda Donnelly
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Coastal wetland plants serve as ecological engineers in a physiologically stressful environment and the loss of coastal wetlands can cause negative effects throughout the estuarine system. Due to increased degradation of coastal habitats worldwide, interest in restoration has increased around the world. An understanding of the biotic processes affecting species distribution and diversity is critical for future conservation, management, and restoration of coastal wetlands. The purpose of my study was to test the effects of biotic interactions on native coastal wetland plants and determine how these interactions may be incorporated into current and future restoration projects. I had three primary …
Using Land Cover Mapping And Landscape Metrics To Evaluate Effects Of Urban Development On Ecological Integrity In Florida, Michael Gilbrook
Using Land Cover Mapping And Landscape Metrics To Evaluate Effects Of Urban Development On Ecological Integrity In Florida, Michael Gilbrook
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The widespread loss and degradation of habitat constitutes the largest threat to biodiversity in North America. While regulatory programs such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and wetland permitting under the Clean Water Act have addressed acute assaults on critical habitat, large areas of unprotected uplands have been lost. Urban development, particularly the advent of lower density suburban and rural sprawl, has greatly diminished the extent of contiguous patches of forest habitat and introduced a host of other undesirable effects on ecosystem function. This study sought to evaluate the extent of urban sprawl and its effects on ecological integrity …
The Effects Of Non-Native Species On Two Life-Stages Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica, Wei Yuan
The Effects Of Non-Native Species On Two Life-Stages Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica, Wei Yuan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Since their recent introductions into Florida waters, three nonnative species [Perna viridis Linnaeus, 1758 (Asian green mussel), Mytella charruana d'Orbigny, 1846 (charru mussel) and Megabalanus coccopoma Darwin, 1854 (pink titan acorn barnacle)] have expanded both north and south along the Atlantic coast. Very little research has been done to understand how these nonnative species interact with the native eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin, 1791), which is a keystone species that provides important ecological services and economic benefits. To test the potential effects of P. viridis, M. charruana and M. coccopoma on C. virginica, I addressed the following questions: 1a) Does …
Migratory Connectivity And Carry-Over Effects In Northwest Atlantic Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta Caretta, L.), Simona Ceriani
Migratory Connectivity And Carry-Over Effects In Northwest Atlantic Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta Caretta, L.), Simona Ceriani
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Migration is a widespread and complex phenomenon in nature that has fascinated humans for centuries. Connectivity among populations influences their demographics, genetic structure and response to environmental change. Here, I used the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, L.) as a study organism to address questions related to migratory connectivity and carry-over effects using satellite telemetry, stable isotope analysis and GIS interpolation methods. Telemetry identified foraging areas previously overlooked for loggerheads nesting in Florida. Next, I validated and evaluated the efficacy of intrinsic markers as a complementary and low cost tool to assign loggerhead foraging regions in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (NWA), …
Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Selenocysteine Lyase From Enterococcus Faecalis, Samantha Nelson
Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Selenocysteine Lyase From Enterococcus Faecalis, Samantha Nelson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A previous study identified Enterococcus faecalis as one of two bacteria known to have the selD gene and other selenium related genes without having the genes necessary to make selenocysteine or selenouridine. EF2570, a gene in the cluster, was later shown to be upregulated during biofilm formation and also responsible for a selenite- and molybdate-dependent increase in biofilm formation in vitro. The protein encoded was identified as a selenium dependent molybdenum hydroxylase (SDMH), enzymes that contain a labile selenium atom required for activity. While the process of inserting selenocysteine into a protein is well known, the process by which a …
Physiological Constraints On Warm-Water Habitat Site Selection And Utilization By The Florida Manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) In East Central Florida, Ann Spellman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Living at the northern limits of its geographic range, the Florida manatee is particularly susceptible to cold stress-related mortality during the winter months, with most deaths occurring in the lower two-thirds of the state. Contributing to this cold stress susceptibility is the manatee's limited physiological and behavioral responses available when thermally stressed. While capable of migrating south in response to falling water temperatures, manatees must still find warm water when ambient river temperature drops below 20°C for more than a few days. This is in part due to the species low metabolic rate, limited capacity for thermogenesis, and limited ability …
Establishment Of Methods For Isolation Of Pnmt+ Cardiac Progenitor Cells, Namita Varudkar
Establishment Of Methods For Isolation Of Pnmt+ Cardiac Progenitor Cells, Namita Varudkar
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Millions of patients suffer each year from endothelial dysfunction and/or debilitating myocardial damage resulting in decreased quality of life and increased risk of death or disablement. Current pharmacological approaches are only partly effective at treating cardiovascular disease, and hence, better strategies are needed to provide significant improvements in treatment options. Cardiac stem/progenitor cells have the potential to regenerate myocardial tissue and repair damaged heart muscle. There are many different types of cardiac progenitor cells, and each may have certain unique properties and characteristics that would likely be useful …
Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance And Immunomodulation By Hiv-1 Gp41, Matthew Wood
Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance And Immunomodulation By Hiv-1 Gp41, Matthew Wood
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fusion inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to prevent entry of HIV into host cells. Many of the fusion inhibitors being developed, including the drug enfuvirtide (ENF), are peptides designed to mimic, and thereby competitively inhibit, the viral fusion protein gp41. An exception to this is a class of cyclic, cationic, antimicrobial peptides known as θ-defensins, which are produced by many non-human primates and exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral and antibacterial activity. Currently, the θ-defensin analog RC-101 is being developed as a microbicide to prevent sexual transmission of HIV-1. Understanding potential RC-101 resistance, and how resistance to other fusion inhibitors …
Genetic And Biochemical Characterization Of The Roles Of Two Putative Purine Transporters In The Infectious Cycle Of Borrelia Burgdorferi, Sunny Jain
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lyme disease, the most common tick borne disease in United States, is caused by the bacterial pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi. In nature, B. burgdorferi exists in an enzootic infectious cycle between an arthropod vector and mammalian hosts. Identification and characterization of the genes essential for B. burgdorferi survival throughout its infectious cycle is an important step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in B. burgdorferi pathogenesis. B. burgdorferi contains a small genome, which lacks the genes encoding for the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids and nucleic acid precursors. Therefore, the spirochete is dependent upon the …
The Cross Education Of Neuromuscular Economy, Kyle Beyer
The Cross Education Of Neuromuscular Economy, Kyle Beyer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cross education is the phenomenon by which the untrained limb will experience a gain in strength following a unilateral resistance training program. However, little is known as to the underlying adaptation occurring in the untrained limb. Purpose: To examine the effect of dynamic unilateral resistance training on the strength and neuromuscular adaptations of both the trained and untrained legs. Methods: Eight previously untrained males (22.38±2.92 y, 1.73±0.08 m, 75.26±14.53 kg) completed a four-week unilateral resistance training program, while another eight untrained males (24.00±4.57 y, 1.84±0.05 m, 94.21±16.14 kg) served as controls. Isometric leg extension strength, leg press 1 repetition maximum …
Role Of Cardiac Catecholamines In Embryos And Adults Under Stress, Candice Baker
Role Of Cardiac Catecholamines In Embryos And Adults Under Stress, Candice Baker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for the loss of one life every 38 seconds and accounts for 26.6 percent of all infants that die of congenital birth defects. Adrenergic hormones are critically important regulators of cardiovascular physiology in embryos and adults. They are key mediators of stress responses and have profound stimulatory effects on cardiovascular function, and dysregulation of adrenergic function has been associated with many adverse cardiac conditions, including congenital malformations, arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Despite intensive study, the specific roles these hormones play in the developing heart is not well-understood. Further, there is …
The Effect Of Moderate Altitude On High Intensity Running Performance During A Game With Collegiate Female Soccer Players, Jonathan Bohner
The Effect Of Moderate Altitude On High Intensity Running Performance During A Game With Collegiate Female Soccer Players, Jonathan Bohner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Competition often requires teams that reside at sea level to compete against opponents whose residence is at a moderate altitude. This may pose a potential competitive disadvantage considering that moderate altitude may cause decrements in VO2max, distance covered, and time to exhaustion in endurance athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of altitude on game performance measures. Six NCAA Division I female soccer players (20.33 ± 1.21 y; 168 ± 6.45 cm; 62.5 ± 6.03 kg) were retrospectively examined. Comparisons were made between two competitions that were played at sea level (SL) within two weeks of …
Effects Of Mechanical Habitat Disturbance On The Diversity And Network Structure Of Plant-Bee Interaction Networks In Central Florida, Karlie Carman
Effects Of Mechanical Habitat Disturbance On The Diversity And Network Structure Of Plant-Bee Interaction Networks In Central Florida, Karlie Carman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ecological interactions within a community shape the structure of ecosystems and influence ecosystem function. Plant-pollinator interactions exist as mutualistic exchange networks that may collapse as habitat loss occurs, thereby threatening the overall health of an ecosystem. Understanding the impacts of human-mediated habitat disturbance on ecological interactions is therefore crucial for conservation efforts. Archbold Biological Station (ABS) in Venus, Florida contains over 2000 hectares of protected Florida scrub habitat nested within a human-dominated environment that is threatened by anthropogenic habitat disturbance. In past studies, over 113 bee species and 157 associated host plants, many endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge, have …
Evaluation Of The Three-Dimensional Patterns And Ecological Impacts Of The Invasive Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium Microphyllum), Alexis Maldonado
Evaluation Of The Three-Dimensional Patterns And Ecological Impacts Of The Invasive Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium Microphyllum), Alexis Maldonado
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Invasion by non-native species has had significant ecological and economic impacts on a global scale. In the state of Florida, Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is an invasive plant listed by FLEPPC as a category one invader with significant ecological impacts that threaten native plant diversity. This species relies on existing vegetative structures for support to climb into the forest canopy and forms dense mats that cover tree crowns. This subsequently affects the resources available to other species present. Quantifying the structural changes due to the presence of this species has proved logistically difficult, especially on a large spatial …
Endocrine And Contralateral Muscle Responses To Short-Term Unilateral Resistance Training, Carleigh Boone
Endocrine And Contralateral Muscle Responses To Short-Term Unilateral Resistance Training, Carleigh Boone
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term lower body unilateral resistance training on hormonal, muscle morphological, and performance measures in young men. METHODS: Seventeen healthy, untrained young men (Age: 22.8 ± 3.7 y; BMI: 26.5 ± 4.9 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (UT: 22.9 ± 4.6 y, 25.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2; CON: 24.0 ± 4.6 y, 27.7 ± 5.1 kg/m2). Resistance training consisted of 4 weeks of unilateral lower body and bilateral upper body exercises on 3 days per week. Each training session entailed unilateral countermovement jumps (3 × 8), …
Modulation Of Cholera Toxin Structure And Function By Host Proteins, Helen Burress
Modulation Of Cholera Toxin Structure And Function By Host Proteins, Helen Burress
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the catalytic CTA1 subunit separates from the holotoxin and unfolds due to its intrinsic thermal instability. Unfolded CTA1 then moves through an ER translocon pore to reach its cytosolic target. Due to the instability of CTA1, it must be actively refolded in the cytosol to achieve the proper conformation for modification of its G protein target. The cytosolic heat shock protein Hsp90 is involved with the ER-to-cytosol translocation of CTA1, yet the mechanistic role of Hsp90 in CTA1 translocation remains unknown. Potential post-translocation roles for Hsp90 …
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Their Phosphatase Activity And Its Control, Atul Dhall
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Their Phosphatase Activity And Its Control, Atul Dhall
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cerium oxide nanoparticles are established scavengers of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. They have many potential biomedical applications that depend on their physicochemical properties and mode of preparation. Recent studies have found these nanoparticles possess phosphatase mimetic activity. Studying such catalytic activities will qualify their biomedical applications and render information on their bioavailability and potential toxicity. Two oxidation states of cerium exist in these nanoparticles (3+ or 4+). It is hypothesized that the oxidation state of cerium in the nanoparticles determines the amount of adsorbed water on the crystal lattices. This in turn governs their activity as phosphatases. Nanoparticles with …
Movements, Fishery Interactions, And Unusual Mortalities Of Bottlenose Dolphins, Steven Shippee
Movements, Fishery Interactions, And Unusual Mortalities Of Bottlenose Dolphins, Steven Shippee
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Bottlenose dolphins inhabiting coastlines and estuaries in Florida have been impacted in the past decade by development, algal blooms, catastrophic pollution, and fishery interactions (FI). Dolphins react to disturbance and environmental stressors by modifying their movements and habitat use, which may put them in jeopardy of conflict with humans. FI plays an increasing role in contributing to dolphin mortalities. I investigated dolphin movements, habitat use, residency patterns, and frequency of FI with sport fishing. Tagging studies with short-term data tags and bolt on radio-transmitters were done in several locations in Florida and the east coast providing fine-scale measurements of swimming, …
The Effects Of High-Intensity Interval Training And 28 Days Of [Beta]-Hydroxy-[Beta]-Methybutyrate Supplementation On Measures Of Aerobic Power And Metabolic Thresholds, Edward Robinson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: To examine the effects of 28 days of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak), ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and time to exhaustion (Tmax) in collegeaged men and women. Methods: Healthy men and women (n=34, age and VO2peak= 22.7+3.1yr and 39.3+5.0 mL. kg-1.min-1, respectively) participated in this study. All participants completed a series of tests prior and subsequent to treatment. A maximal oxygen consumption test was performed on a cycle ergometer to assess VO2peak, Tmax, VT, and RCP. The peak power output (Ppeak), power at VT (PVT) and power …
The Anti-Toxin Properties Of Grape Seed Phenolic Compounds, Patrick Cherubin
The Anti-Toxin Properties Of Grape Seed Phenolic Compounds, Patrick Cherubin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ricinus communis, Shigella dysentariae, and Vibrio cholerae produce AB toxins which share the same basic structural characteristics: a catalytic A subunit attached to a cell-binding B subunit. All AB toxins have cytosolic targets despite an initial extracellular location. AB toxins use different methods to reach the cytosol and have different effects on the target cell. Broad-spectrum inhibitors against these toxins are therefore hard to develop because they use different surface receptors, entry mechanisms, enzyme activities, and cytosolic targets. We have found that grape seed extract provides resistance to five different AB toxins: diphtheria toxin (DT), P. …
Character Evolution And Microbial Community Structure In A Host-Associated Grasshopper, Tyler Raszick
Character Evolution And Microbial Community Structure In A Host-Associated Grasshopper, Tyler Raszick
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The spotted bird grasshopper, Schistocerca lineata Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a widely distributed species found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada. This species is known to be highly variable in morphology, with many distinct ecotypes across its native range. These ecotypes display high levels of association with type-specific host plants. Understanding the evolutionary relationships among different ecotypes is crucial groundwork for studying the process of ecological differentiation. I examine four ecotypes from morphological and phylogeographic perspectives, and look for evidence of distinct evolutionary lineages within the species. I also begin to explore the potential role of …