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Establishing The Microcrustacean Daphnia As A Model System For Research On Aging, Charles Andrew Shumpert

Theses and Dissertations

Aging is a ubiquitous process pertaining to all biological systems around the planet. Although much has been learned from studies so far on the molecular mechanisms that lead to aging, a complete understanding of a healthy life span and longevity still eludes us. In this dissertation, we will examine the use of a freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia as a model system for studies on the biology of aging. The Introduction chapter presents a review of the general molecular alterations associated with cellular and organismal aging, and discusses the core model organisms currently used to study the aging process. The introduction chapter …

Genes And Gene Networks Related To Age-Associated Learning Impairments, Raihan Uddin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The incidence of cognitive impairments, including age-associated spatial learning impairment (ASLI), has risen dramatically in past decades due to increasing human longevity. To better understand the genes and gene networks involved in ASLI, data from a number of past gene expression microarray studies in rats are integrated and used to perform a meta- and network analysis. Results from the data selection and preprocessing steps show that for effective downstream analysis to take place both batch effects and outlier samples must be properly removed. The meta-analysis undertaken in this research has identified significant differentially expressed genes across both age and ASLI …

Cardioprotective Role Of The Cholinergic System, Mouhamed Dakroub

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The process of aging is an irreversible continuum experienced by all individuals. A large number of physiological transformations occur to the cardiovascular system as one ages. These changes result in increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, many of which are frequently seen in geriatric populations. While the exact mechanisms of age-related cardiac dysfunction have not been established, abnormal cholinergic dysfunction has been implicated in the pathology of other age related diseases; therefore, we have hypothesized that age induced cholinergic dysfunction is detrimental to cardiac function and health. This study seeks to identify whether increased cholinergic signaling, either by transgenic overexpression …

Age-Associated Methylation Suppresses Spry1, Leading To A Failure Of Re-Quiescence And Loss Of The Reserve Stem Cell Pool In Elderly Muscle., Anne Bigot, William J Duddy, Zamalou G Ouandaogo, Elisa Negroni, Virginie Mariot, Svetlana Ghimbovschi, Brennan Harmon, Aurore Wielgosik, Camille Loiseau, Joseph Devaney, Julie Dumonceaux, Gillian Butler-Browne, Vincent Mouly, Stéphanie Duguez

Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications

The molecular mechanisms by which aging affects stem cell number and function are poorly understood. Murine data have implicated cellular senescence in the loss of muscle stem cells with aging. Here, using human cells and by carrying out experiments within a strictly pre-senescent division count, we demonstrate an impaired capacity for stem cell self-renewal in elderly muscle. We link aging to an increased methylation of the SPRY1 gene, a known regulator of muscle stem cell quiescence. Replenishment of the reserve cell pool was modulated experimentally by demethylation or siRNA knockdown of SPRY1. We propose that suppression of SPRY1 by age-associated …

The Effect Of A Combined Multiple-Modality Exercise Intervention On Sensorimotor Function In Community Dwelling Older Adults, With A Subjective Cognitive Complaint: The M4 Study (Multi-Modal; Mind Motor), Sam Titheridge

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Aging is associated with the increased onset of diseases such as cognitive impairment, and ultimately dementia. Participants, 55+ years, with a self-reported cognitive complaint completed a 6-month exercise intervention. They were randomized to either a multiple modality exercise program (M2), consisting of aerobic, stretching and balancing exercises or a multiple modality plus mind motor program (M4), whereby a square stepping exercise was incorporated. Participants were assessed for reaction time (RT), movement time (MT) and % errors at baseline and at 6-months using an eye tracking 1000 system. Participants performed prosaccades and antisaccades (AS). AS RT was significantly quicker from baseline …

White Matter Microstructure Contributes To Age-Related Declines In Task-Induced Deactivation Of The Default Mode Network, Christopher A. Brown, Jonathan G. Hakun, Zude Zhu, Nathan F. Johnson, Brian T. Gold

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Task-induced deactivations within the brain’s default mode network (DMN) are thought to reflect suppression of endogenous thought processes to support exogenous goal-directed task processes. Older adults are known to show reductions in deactivation of the DMN compared to younger adults. However, little is understood about the mechanisms contributing to functional dysregulation of the DMN in aging. Here, we explored the relationships between functional modulation of the DMN and age, task performance and white matter (WM) microstructure. Participants were 117 adults ranging from 25 to 83 years old who completed an fMRI task switching paradigm, including easy (single) and difficult (mixed) …

Apoe Stabilization By Exercise Prevents Aging Neurovascular Dysfunction And Complement Induction, Ileana Soto Reyes, Leah C. Graham, Hannah J. Richter, Stephen N. Simeone, Jake E. Radell, Weronika Grabowska, W. Keith Funkhouser, Megan C. Howell, Gareth R. Howell

Faculty Scholarship for the College of Science & Mathematics

Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, but little is known about the processes that lead to age-related decline of brain structures and function. Here we use RNA-seq in combination with high resolution histological analyses to show that aging leads to a significant deterioration of neurovascular structures including basement membrane reduction, pericyte loss, and astrocyte dysfunction. Neurovascular decline was sufficient to cause vascular leakage and correlated strongly with an increase in neuroinflammation including up-regulation of complement component C1QA in microglia/monocytes. Importantly, long-term aerobic exercise from midlife to old age prevented this age-related neurovascular decline, …

Muscle Weakness During Aging: A Deficiency State Involving Declining Angiogenesis, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

This essay begins by proposing that muscle weakness of old age from sarcopenia is due in large part to reduced capillary density in the muscles, as documented in 9 reports of aged persons and animals. Capillary density (CD) is determined by local levels of various angiogenic factors, which also decline in muscles with aging, as reported in 7 studies of old persons and animals. There are also numerous reports of reduced CD in the aged brain and other studies showing reduced CD in the kidney and heart of aged animals. Thus a waning angiogenesis throughout the body may be …

Effect Of Aging Time And Retail Displaying Period With A Short-Term Temperature Abuse On Color Stability Of Two Beef Muscles, Derico Setyabrata, Hyun-Wook Kim, Yuan H. Brad Kim

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Meat color and tenderness are two most important quality factors affecting consumers’ decision on meat purchasing. Post-mortem meat aging has been widely practiced to improve palatability attributes, but could be adversely related to meat color. In particular, temperature abuse during aging or retail display can negatively affect the color stability of aged meat. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aging time and short-term temperature abuse during display on color stability of two beef muscles (M. longissimus dorsi, LD and semitendinosus, ST). LD and ST muscles were separated from three beef carcasses, vacuum-packaged …

Tradeoffs Of Warm Adaptation In Aquatic Ectotherms: Live Fast, Die Young?, A. P. Porreca, E. Martinez, R. E. Colombo, Michael A. Menze

Michael Menze

In the face of a changing climate, questions regarding sub-lethal effects of elevated habitat temperature on the physiology of ectotherms remain unanswered. In particular, long-term responses of ectotherms to the warming trend in tropical regions are unknown and significantly understudied due primarily to the difficulties in specimen and community traceability. In freshwater lakes employed as cooling reservoirs for power plants, increased physiological stress from high water temperature can lead to an increase in mortality, reduce growth, and potentially alter the community structure of fishes. Throughout this study, we employ this highly tractable system to assess how elevated thermal regimes can …

Tradeoffs Of Warm Adaptation In Aquatic Ectotherms : Live Fast, Die Young?, A. Porreca, E. Martinez, R. Colombo, Michael Menze

Faculty Scholarship

In the face of a changing climate, questions regarding sub-lethal effects of elevated habitat temperature on the physiology of ectotherms remain unanswered. In particular, long-term responses of ectotherms to the warming trend in tropical regions are unknown and significantly understudied due primarily to the difficulties in specimen and community traceability. In freshwater lakes employed as cooling reservoirs for power plants, increased physiological stress from high water temperature can lead to an increase in mortality, reduce growth, and potentially alter the community structure of fishes. Throughout this study, we employ this highly tractable system to assess how elevated thermal regimes can …

Individual, Occupational And Biomechanical Factors That Affect Slip And Fall Risk From Fixed Ladders, Erika Mae Pliner

Theses and Dissertations

Injuries from ladder falls are prevalent and severe. Previous research has examined certain elements of ladder falls such as the ladder base slipping, but few studies have examined the factors that contribute to climbers falling from the ladder, particularly for permanent/fixed ladders. In addition, the biomechanical response to a ladder slip/misstep during ladder climbing and the factors that affect a fall from a ladder are not well understood. This thesis is a two part study that simulated ladder slips and missteps in order to find factors 1) associated with ladder slip risk and 2) that decrease fall severity from a …

Tradeoffs Of Warm Adaptation In Aquatic Ectotherms: Live Fast, Die Young?, A. P. Porreca, E. Martinez, R. E. Colombo, Michael A. Menze

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

In the face of a changing climate, questions regarding sub-lethal effects of elevated habitat temperature on the physiology of ectotherms remain unanswered. In particular, long-term responses of ectotherms to the warming trend in tropical regions are unknown and significantly understudied due primarily to the difficulties in specimen and community traceability. In freshwater lakes employed as cooling reservoirs for power plants, increased physiological stress from high water temperature can lead to an increase in mortality, reduce growth, and potentially alter the community structure of fishes. Throughout this study, we employ this highly tractable system to assess how elevated thermal regimes can …

The Effects Of A Multiple-Modality Mind-Motor Program On Vascular Outcomes In Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Complaints, Amanda M. Deosaran

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Studies have found a link between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and Alzheimer’s disease however; the mechanism by which CVRFs increase the risk of cognitive decline is not fully understood. The current study attempts to improve CVRFs in order to enhance cognition in older adults. Primary outcomes include ambulatory and clinical resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP; DBP). In total, 89 community-dwelling older adults with subjective cognitive complaints were randomized to either a multiple-modality mind-motor (M4) exercise or a multiple-modality (M2) exercise only. Significance was found in nighttime peak SBP (6.55 mmHg, p=.04) between groups, with a decrease in M2 …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine Supplementation On Isometric Strength, Time To Exhaustion, And Lower-Body Isometric Torque In Female Masters Athlete Cyclists, Jordan Mckenzie Glenn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within the population of aging individuals exists a subset of competitive seniors or masters athletes (MA). As masters-level competition increases in popularity, MA must find methods to enhance individual athletic performance. Beta-alanine (BA) is an amino acid used to enhance physical capability based on ability increase intramuscular carnosine concentrations. Older adults and females have naturally lower carnosine levels compared to age- and gender-matched counterparts and may experience enhanced benefits from BA supplementation. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the longitudinal effects of BA supplementation on isometric handgrip strength (HG), time to exhaustion (TTE), total work completed …

Disease-Related Microglia Heterogeneity In The Hippocampus Of Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia With Lewy Bodies, And Hippocampal Sclerosis Of Aging, Adam D. Bachstetter, Linda J. Van Eldik, Frederick A. Schmitt, Janna H. Neltner, Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Scott J. Webster, Ela Patel, Erin L. Abner, Richard J. Kryscio, Peter T. Nelson

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Introduction: Neuropathological, genetic, and biochemical studies have provided support for the hypothesis that microglia participate in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Despite the extensive characterization of AD microglia, there are still many unanswered questions, and little is known about microglial morphology in other common forms of age-related dementia: particularly, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging). In addition, no prior studies have attempted to compare and contrast the microglia morphology in the hippocampus of various neurodegenerative conditions.

Results: Here we studied cases with pathologically-confirmed AD (n = 7), HS-Aging (n = 7), AD + HS-aging …

Efficient In Vitro Development Of Photoreceptors From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Joseph C. Reynolds

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Degeneration of the rod and cone photoreceptors in the human retina is among the most common causes of blindness. Replacing these damaged photoreceptors may help to restore vision. Repairing the damaged retina relies on the insertion of new, healthy cells. Embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are two possible sources of photoreceptors to restore vision. Previous data shows that human ES cells and iPS cells can be differentiated into photoreceptors and transplanted into the eye to restore some vision. However, this process is inefficient, and costly. Here, we show a new method for inducing photoreceptor production …

Thrombospondin-1 Decreases No-Mediated Vasodilation In Coronary Arterioles In Advancing Age., Grant Mckenzie

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of 17Β-Estradiol On Learning And Memory And Strategy Use During A Hole Board Spatial Navigation Task In Aged Male Rats, Megan Berthiaume

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Treatment with 17β- estradiol has been shown to ameliorate age related deficits in spatial learning and memory as well as to promote the use of an allocentric strategy during spatial navigation. While the majority of research using 17β- estradiol has been done using females rodents, there have been studies showing an improvement in spatial learning and memory and promoted use of allocentric strategies in spatial navigation in males as well. In males testosterone (T) is metabolized into estradiol by aromatase. As circulating levels of T decline with aging there is less available T to be metabolized into estradiol. The current …

The Effects Of 12 Weeks Of Instructor-Led Yoga Classes On Balance In Older Adults, Patricia C. Hart

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Participation in a regular exercise program is an effective way to reduce and/or prevent a number of functional declines associated with aging (Chodzko-Zajo et al., 2009). Older adults are advised to participate in regular aerobic activity and practice muscle strengthening activities and exercise that maintains or improves balance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, [USDHHS], 2012). Less than one third of older adults engage in 30 minutes of low to moderate intense physical activity at least five days a week as recommended in current guidelines (USDHHS, 2012), and these guidelines fail to address losses in strength and flexibility seen …

Validity Of Boston Marathon Qualifying Times, Paul M. Vanderburgh

Paul M. Vanderburgh

Purpose: To assess the validity of Boston Marathon qualifying (BMQ) standards for men and women. Methods: Percent differences between BMQ and current world records (WR) by sex and age group were computed. WR was chosen as the criterion comparison because it is not confounded by intensity, body composition, lifestyle, or environmental factors. A consistent difference across age groups would indicate an appropriate slope of the age-vs-BMQ curve. Inconsistent differences were corrected by adjusting BMQ standards to achieve a uniform percentage difference from WR. Results: BMQ standards for men were consistently ~50% slower than WR (mean 51.5% ± 1.4%, range 49.6–54.4%), …

Carol Barnes: A Prominent Voice In The Neuroscience Of Aging, And A Proponent Of Women In Neuroscience, Kara Sherva

Sound Neuroscience: An Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal

Dr. Barnes, as a professor and a graduate mentor, is constantly in contact with the new generation of women neuroscientists, helping shape their future career paths and providing them with an uncountable number of resources. Barnes’ research is centered on the changes that happen in learning, memory and behavior in normal aging, rather than in neurological diseases.

Neuromuscular Adaptations In Elderly Adults Are Task-Specific During Stepping And Obstacle Clearance Tasks., Matthew Bice, Nicholas J. Hanson, James A. Eldridge, Paul Reneau, Douglas W. Powell

James Eldridge

Elderly adults have a diminished movement capacity due to physiological and neurological declines associated with advancing age. Previous research suggests that elderly adults use altered neuromuscular patterns to conduct activities of daily living (ADLs). Limited research has addressed these altered activation strategies in obstacle clearance, stair ascent and stair descent. The purpose of this study was to compare neuromuscular activation patterns in young and elderly adults during these tasks. Eleven young and 10 healthy elderly adults performed five downward stepping, upward stepping and obstacle clearance trials. Surface EMG was measured from the quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. A …

Effects Of Aging On Organic Aerosol From Open Biomass Burning Smoke In Aircraft And Laboratory Studies, M J. Cubison, A M. Ortega, P L. Hayes, D K. Farmer, D Day, M J. Lechner, W H. Brune, E Apel, G S. Diskin, J A. Fisher, H E. Fuelberg, A Hecobian, D J. Knapp, T Mikoviny, D Riemer, G W. Sachse, W Sessions, R Weber, A J. Weinheimer, A Wisthaler, J L. Jimenez

Jenny A Fisher

Biomass burning (BB) is a large source of primary and secondary organic aerosols (POA and SOA). This study addresses the physical and chemical evolution of BB organic aerosols. Firstly, the evolution and lifetime of BB POA and SOA signatures observed with the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer are investigated, focusing on measurements at high-latitudes acquired during the 2008 NASA ARCTAS mission, in comparison to data from other field studies and from laboratory aging experiments. The parameter f60 , the ratio of the integrated signal at m/z 60 to the total signal in the organic component mass spectrum, is used as a …

Impaired Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow Control With Advancing Age In Humans: Attenuated Atp Release And Local Vasodilation During Erythrocyte Deoxygenation, Brett S. Kirby, Anne R. Crecelius, Wyatt F. Voyles, Frank A. Dinenno

Anne R. Crecelius

Rationale: Skeletal muscle blood flow is coupled with the oxygenation state of hemoglobin in young adults, whereby the erythrocyte functions as an oxygen sensor and releases ATP during deoxygenation to evoke vasodilation. Whether this function is impaired in humans of advanced age is unknown. Objective: To test the hypothesis that older adults demonstrate impaired muscle blood flow and lower intravascular ATP during conditions of erythrocyte deoxygenation. Methods and Results: We showed impaired forearm blood flow responses during 2 conditions of erythrocyte deoxygenation (systemic hypoxia and graded handgrip exercise) with age, which was caused by reduced local vasodilation. In young adults, …

Tradeoffs Of Warm Adaptation In Aquatic Ectotherms: Live Fast, Die Young?, Eloy Martinez, Anthony Porreca, Robert Colombo, Michael Menze

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

In the face of a changing climate, questions regarding sub-lethal effects of elevated habitat temperature on the physiology of ectotherms remain unanswered. In particular, long-term responses of ectotherms to the warming trend in tropical regions are unknown, and understudied due to the difficulties in specimen and community traceability. In freshwater lakes employed as cooling reservoirs for power plants, increased physiological stress from high water temperature can potentially alter the community structure of fishes. We employ this highly tractable system to assess how thermal regimes can alter the physiology and ecology of aquatic species. We documented a significantly reduced lifespan, growth …

Sestrin2, A Regulator Of Thermogenesis And Mitohormesis In Brown Adipose Tissue, Seung-Hyun Ro, Ian Semple, Allison Ho, Hwan-Woo Park, Jun Hee Lee

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Sestrin2 is a stress-inducible protein that functions as an antioxidant and inhibitor of mTOR complex 1. In a recent study, we found that Sestrin2 overexpression in brown adipocytes interfered with normal metabolism by reducing mitochondrial respiration through the suppression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. The metabolic effects of Sestrin2 in brown adipocytes were dependent on its antioxidant activity, and chemical antioxidants produced similar effects in inhibiting UCP1-dependent thermogenesis. These observations suggest that low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brown adipocytes can actually be beneficial and necessary for proper metabolic homeostasis. In addition, considering that Sestrins are ROS …

Mechanisms Of Estrogen Receptor Alternative Splicing And The Consequences For Aging In The Female Brain, Cody Lee Shults

Dissertations

The advances in healthcare and scientific knowledge have resulted in longer life expectancies in women. These advanced ages in women now means that they are experiencing the effects of age-related changes in the body for much longer periods of time, mainly reproductive senescence, resulting in the loss of circulating ovarian hormones. The age at which menopause occurs has not changed, resulting in women now living over a third of their lives in a postmenopausal state.

The major circulating estrogen produced by the ovaries, 17β-estradiol (E2), has many homeostatic effects in the body like neuroprotection and cardioprotection. Hormone replacement therapy (HT) …

Working Together: Using Protein Networks Of Bacterial Species To Compare Essentiality, Centrality, And Conservation In Escherichia Coli., Christopher Wimble

Theses and Dissertations

Proteins in Escherichia coli were compared in terms of essentiality, centrality, and conservation. The hypotheses of this study are: for proteins in Escherichia coli, (1) there is a positive, measureable correlation between protein conservation and essentiality, (2) there is a positive relationship between conservation and degree centrality, and (3) essentiality and centrality also have a positive correlation. The third hypothesis was supported by a moderate correlation, the first with a weak correlation, and the second hypotheis was not supported. When proteins that did not map to orthologous groups and proteins that had no interactions were removed, the relationship between essentality …

Melatonin As A Stabilizer Of Mitochondrial Function: Role In Diseases And Aging, Cristina Carrasco, Ana B. Rodriguez, Jose A. Pariente

Turkish Journal of Biology

It is now almost 60 years since the discovery of melatonin and new physiological functions of the indole continuously appear in the most recent studies worldwide. Experimental evidence emphasizes its importance as a stabilizer of the mitochondrial bioenergetics, which could be related to the prevention of development of aging and several diseases. In the next years, conscientious investigation about this topic should be undertaken by scientists of different research areas to achieve a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms implied. This will ultimately allow the development and clinical application of efficacious treatments.