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Thermodynamic Evidence That Ganglioside-Mediated Insertion Of Botulinum A Into The Cholinergic Nerve Ending May Precede Endocytosis And Acidification: A Langmuir Film Study, Bradley Adam Strongin

Theses and Dissertations

Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) is one of the most potent toxins known to human kind. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was employed to investigate the conditions under which BoNT type A heavy chain would bind and/or insert into mica supported dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers. As an alternate technique, DPPC/GT1b or total ganglioside extract (80:20) monolayers of a Langmuir Blodgett (LB) Trough were adapted to be artificial membrane models for toxin insertion studies. We conclude that LB monolayer studies are a promising candidate for BoNT/A membrane insertion investigation. Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A insertions into the LB monolayers in the presence of BoNT/A …

Effects Of Endurance Training On The Ampk Response To Exercise., David Gerald Chesser

Theses and Dissertations

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) results in the upregulation of several intracellular systems which help to prepare a cell for a high energy challenge. The magnitude of the AMPK response to a 10 min bout of exercise has been found to decrease in red quadriceps (RQ) following training, while putative AMPK roles seem to be maintained; specifically, the biogenesis of mitochondria and higher levels of hexokinase II and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). If the AMPK response to exercise is responsible in part for these adaptations, how can they be maintained if the AMPK response is attenuated? The purpose of …

Mapk Survival Signaling In Melanoma, Matthew W. Vanbrocklin

Dissertations

Extracellular signals activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades potentiating biological activities such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Constitutive activation of MAPK signaling pathways is implicated in the development and progression of many human cancers, including melanoma. Mutually exclusive activating mutations in NRAS or BRAF are found in ∼85% of all melanomas resulting in constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway (RAS-BRAF-MEK-ERK-RSK). We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of this pathway with small molecule MEK inhibitors selectively induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo, but not in normal melanocytes. These results support the notion that the …

Maternal High-Salt Diet During Pregnancy In Sprague Dawley Rats Programs Exaggerated Stress-Induced Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Responses In Adult Female Offspring, Summer Hayes King

Theses and Dissertations

The prenatal environment has been shown to have lasting effects on cardiovascular health. In the present study, pregnant rats were fed a 0.7% NaCl normal salt (NS) diet or an 8% NaCl high salt (HS) diet throughout pregnancy. Adult offspring were fitted with radiotelemetry probes to continuously measure blood pressure and heart rate. Rats were placed in restraining cages to test for a programmed acute stress hyperresponsiveness. Offspring were challenged with HS diet for one week to determine if blood pressure salt sensitivity had been programmed by the prenatal HS diet. Animals were killed following resting and acute stress conditions, …

Changes In Body Composition And Physical Activity Behavior In A Group Of College Freshmen, Tracy A. Swibas

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: To compare: 1-the physiological profile of former athletes (Ath) and non-athletes (Non-Ath) upon college entrance, 2-PA levels in these groups, and 3-changes in physiological profile and PA level of former Ath and Non-Ath and females and males over the course of freshman year. Sixty-two college freshmen were tested during the initial weeks of the school year and again during the final weeks of the school year; the sample consisted of 32 former Ath (18 females and 14 males) and 30 Non-Ath (19 females and 11 males). METHODS: Body composition (BC) was assessed using the Bod Pod with a conversion …

Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Activity And Phosphorylation Of Amp-Activated Protein Kinase In Contracting Muscle Of Sedentary And Endurance Trained Rats, Denise Hurst

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine activity of AMP-activated protein kinase kinase (AMPKK) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in muscles from control (C) and endurance trained (T) rats. Rats were trained 5 days/wk, 2 hr/d for 8 wks at a final intensity of 32 m/min up a 15% grade with 30 second sprints at 52 m/min every 10 min. Gastrocnemius muscles were stimulated in situ in T and C rats for 5 min at frequencies of 0.4/sec and 1/sec. Gastrocnemius LKB1 protein, a putative component of the AMPKK complex (LKB1, STRAD, and MO25), increased approximately 2-fold in response to training. …

Regulation Of Adrenal Steroidogenesis By Interleukin-6, Stephen A. Mcilmoil

Theses and Dissertations

Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are steroids produced by the zona fasciculata (ZF) and reticularis (ZR), respectively, of the adrenal cortex. Both steroids are upregulated in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cortisol is a glucorticoid that is important in the regulation of inflammation and metabolism. DHEA is an adrenal androgen important in fetal growth and puberty but tends to decrease gradually after puberty in both men and women. DHEA has various effects on metabolism and immune function including inhibiting the effects of cortisol on some tissues. During the acute phase of stress, cortisol and DHEA rise due to an increase in …

Regulation Of Lkb1-Strad-Mo25 Complex Expression And Activation Of Ampk In Skeletal Muscle By Thyroid Hormone, Devon Jack Branvold

Theses and Dissertations

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimeric protein which serves as a metabolic master switch in skeletal muscle, is a research target for the pharmaceutical treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes. The expression of all of the isoforms of the subunits of AMPK and AMPK activity are increased in skeletal muscle tissue of hyperthyroid rats. Activity of AMPK is regulated by an upstream kinase (AMPKK). The LKB1-STRAD-MO25 complex is a major AMPKK in skeletal muscle. This experiment was designed to determine whether the increase in AMPK activity is accompanied by a thyroid hormone-induced increase in the expression of the LKB1-STRAD-MO25 …

The Effect Of Intensity Of Aerobic Vo2max Resting Heart Rate And Blood Pressure, Shannan Elizabeth Gormley

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The AGSM recommends 20 to 60 minutes of continuous or intermittent activity 3 to 5 times per week to maintain cardio respiratory fitness (Pollock et al., 1998). The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health indicates that Americans are not meeting these physical activity recommendations (DHHS). Several clear consequences of physical inactivity are the appearance of cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity. Two recent review articles suggested that higher intensity exercise will elicit a greater reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors (Swain and Franklin, 2002; Swain and Franklin, 2006). In order to determine whether …

Assessment Of High School Athletic Coaches Knowledge Of The Prevention Recognition And Treatment Of Heat Illnesses, Erica Lea Borgia

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

As evidenced by the current history of heat related deaths, heat-related illness is a vast problem in the United States. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of high school athletic coaches' knowledge of the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses (EHI). A twenty-five question multiple choice assessment survey was developed to measure knowledge levels concerning the recognition, treatment, and prevention of EI-II. In addition, a questionnaire was utilized to collect demographic characteristics that could have had an effect on knowledge scores. The instrument was reviewed by a panel of experts for face and content …

Electromagnetic Differences In The Brain During Memory Retrieval, Warren Scott Merrifield

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The primary objectives for this experiment were to analyze the neuroanatomical correlates of autobiographical, episodic and semantic memory, use a different paradigm to promote episodic memory retrieval, and employ a different analysis technique to understand retrieval processes. Autobiographical and episodic memories are personal memories from the past. Autobiographical is more general (e.g. a street name of a house growing up) and episodic is more specific to time (e.g. 13th birthday party that took place on a street). For autobiographical and episodic memory retrieval operations, there is no general consensus as to the localization of function, but bilateral activation of the …

The Relationship Between Parental Literacy And Language Practices And Beliefs And Toddlers’ Emergent Literacy Skills, Claire Maples Edwards

Doctoral Dissertations

This study involved the examination of parental beliefs and practices about early literacy and language and how they influence observed literacy behaviors of their 18-36 month old toddlers. Observed literacy behaviors of the toddlers included phonological awareness (PA) and written language awareness (WLA). The objectives of this study were to (a) characterize the emergent literacy behaviors of toddlers, (b) characterize parental beliefs and practices regarding emergent literacy with respect to toddlers, and (c) determine the relationship between toddlers’ emergent literacy behaviors and their parents’ beliefs and behaviors. Participants included 15 mother-toddler dyads. Mean age of mothers was 35.2 years (SD …

Maturational Changes In Cerebrovascular Thick- And Thin-Filament Regulation, Renan Joel Sandoval

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study focused on the main hypothesis that age-related changes in myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity involve simultaneous changes in the relations between cytosolic Ca²⁺ transients, myosin phosphorylation, and force development. To define the effects of late fetal and early postnatal maturation, parallel experiments were carried out using cerebral arteries from both term lamb fetuses (140-141 days of gestation) and nonpregnant adult sheep. Fetal and adult cerebral arteries were stimulated by either mechanically, electromechanically, and/or pharmacomechanically-induced contractions, and the relations of cytosolic Ca²⁺, MLC phosphorylation, and contractile tensions were measured. These measurements allowed for stimulus and age-dependent …

Video Game Addiction: Truth Or Fiction, Lyles Thibodeaux-Harmony

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of Alpha-1-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Contractions Of The Uterine Artery By Pkc, Hongying Zhang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pregnancy is associated with a significant decrease in uterine vascular tone and a striking increase in uterine blood flow, which ensures normal fetal development. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the adaptation of uterine artery contractility during pregnancy. Both protein kinase C (PKC) and activation of ai-adrenoceptors play important roles in the regulation of uterine artery contractility. In addition, PKC mediates the pregnancyassociated decrease in myogenic tone of the uterine artery, and interacts with ajadrenoceptors leading to modulation of ai-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions of vascular smooth muscle. Yet, whether or to what extent PKC regulates ai-adrenoceptormediated contractions of the uterine artery and their …

Physical Activity Levels Of College Freshman: Comparison Of Surveys With Objective Measures Of Physical Activity, Lois Amber Mcmahan

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: This study compared measures of physical activity (PA) taken from the 7- day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with those obtained from the NL 2000 (NL) and Lifecorder (LC) accelerometers in entering, college freshmen.

METHODS: 47 males and 64 females (overall age =18.5±.3 yrs, wt. = 68.7±14.4 kg, and BMI = 23.7 ±4.9) volunteered and signed an informed consent form. All subjects wore the NL for 7 days, and half wore the LC as well. After the 7 days the subjects completed the PAR and IPAQ.

RESULTS: There was a strong agreement between …

The Effect Of Instruction Of Jump-Landing Motion Patterns And Impact Forces, Mary Elizabeth Joos

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The use of visual instruction could be a valuable tool in prevention strategies for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, especially in large group settings, through the alterations of jump-landing motion patterns and impact forces. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two visual modeling cues in altering jump-landing motion patterns, as measured by the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), and impact forces, vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) and peak posterior ground reaction force (PPGRF). Seventy-three physically active individuals (age= 20.89 ± 1.72 years; height = 172 ± 9.87 cm; mass= 68.43 ± 15.97 kg) were baseline tested …

The Role Of Stat And The Jak/Stat Pathway In Mediating The Effects Of Interleukin-6 On Star Expression, Janae Strickland

Theses and Dissertations

Cortisol, a hormone produced by a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, is responsible for many regulatory functions in the body. Cortisol release is mediated by adrenocorticotrophic hormone, or ACTH, through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal or HPA axis. This HPA axis is the major release pathway used during acute stress, during which the levels of ACTH parallel those of cortisol. However, in states of chronic stress, the level of ACTH drops dramatically, while cortisol remains high. This study focuses on the pathway of cortisol release during these chronic stress states, specifically examining the role of IL-6 with respect to STATs and the …

Investigation Of Age Related Differences In The Rewiring Of P2-Olfactory Receptor Neurons, Daniel Joseph Galante

Theses and Dissertations

Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) maintain the ability to regenerate. These neurons reside in the olfactory epithelium and project axons that connect to the olfactory bulbs. Despite the diffuse distribution of ORNs in the olfactory epithelium, they converge at discrete glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. In the P2 IRES tau-lacZ mouse, the P2 ORN subtype has been previously mapped to two glomeruli, using X-gal staining. To determine if age affects ORN regeneration, left olfactory nerve transections were performed on P2 mice from immature (five-weeks old) and mature (1 6-weeks old) groups. Following recovery, the olfactory bulbs were processed to observe ORN …

Induction Of Heme Oxygenase By A Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule, Robert Andrew Kulina

Theses and Dissertations

We have recently demonstrated that heme oxygenase is expressed in both healing wounds and in pressure ulcers. Heme oxygenase has been shown to have important cytoprotective functions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and organ allograft survival. The cytoprotective effects of heme oxygenase are multifactorial. Besides reducing levels of pro-oxidant heme, heme oxygenase products (bilirubin, carbon monoxide, and iron) have been demonstrated to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative properties. These properties make heme oxygenase an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds. The purpose of this study was two-fold: evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) on …

Phenotypic Properties And Intrinsic Currents Of Neurons Involved In The Neural Generation Of Mammalian Breathing, John A. Hayes

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Breathing is essential for mammalian life. Although there is an emerging consensus that the inspiratory respiratory rhythm is generated in a lower brainstem region known as the preBotzinger Complex (preBotC), the mechanism of rhythmogenesis is still unclear. Additionally, the modulation of intrinsic currents within preBotC neurons has yet to be fully elucidated. This dissertation addresses both of these issues and relies on imaging, electrophysiological, and modeling techniques. The first chapter examines the size and composition of the preBotC. The chapter also decribes the means by which substance P (SP) excites the vast majority of preBotC neurons by illustrating the characteristics …

Influence Of Physical Training On Knee Valgus Motion And Physical Performance Abilities Among Adole[S]Cent Female Basketball Players, Shauhen Charles Tahrebandi

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The intent of this study was to determine if high school female basketball players participating in a physical training intervention (including a warm-up and plyometric, jump, flexibility, and strength training) would decrease valgus motion at the knee joint upon impact of a jump landing task. In addition, another aim of the investigation was to determine if the training routine would enhance physical performance factors associated with specific basketball skills (e.g., vertical jump and agility).

Twenty high school female basketball players, (experimental group n = 8, mean = 14.2 yrs; control group n = 12, mean = 14.3 yrs) were recruited …

Signaling By Protease-Activated Receptors In Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle, Wimolpak Sriwai

Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, we have examined the expression of protease-activated receptors (PARS) and characterized their signaling pathways in rabbit gastric muscle cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed expression of PARl and PAR2 but not PAR3 or PAR4 in smooth muscle. The PARl agonist TFLLR activated Gq, G12, and Gi3, but not Gil, Gi2, G13, Gs or Gz, whereas the PAR2 agonist SLIGRL activated Gq, G13, Gil, and Gi2, but not Gi3, G12, Gs, or Gz. Both PARl and PAR2 agonists stimulated PI hydrolysis and Rho kinase activity and inhibited cAMP formation. PAR1-stimulated PI hydrolysis was abolished in cells expressing Gαq minigene, …

Role Of Rok And Pkc In Permeabilized Rabbit Femoral Artery, Lyndsay Jacquelyn Clelland

Theses and Dissertations

Discoveries made with KCl-induced contractions have elucidated the more complex reactions involved in GPCRs signaling; once the mechanisms of smooth muscle Ca2+ sensitization and desensitization are fully understood, then the development of advanced treatments for vascular disorders such as hypertension, cerebral and coronary vasospasm, and vascular hyporeactivity following hemorrhagic shock may be possible. Studies have shown that KCl-induced contractions induce Ca2+-sensitization. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that KCl induced Ca2+-sensitization is due to ROK activation by the increase in [Ca2+]i. To test this hypothesis, rabbit femoral arteries were permeabilized with 20µg/ml α-toxin and 1% Triton X-100 and subjected to different …

Genetic Variations In Interferon-Induced Genes And Hcv Recurrence After Liver Transplantation, Benjamin Cameron Whitehill

Theses and Dissertations

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a worldwide pandemic and is currently the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver transplantation. After transplantation recurrence is almost universal with 96% of patients testing positive for viral RNA and exhibiting histological evidence of infection within the first year. Type I interferons (IFN) and interferon inducible genes are responsible for the innate antiviral state and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes may affect the patients ability to respond post-transplantation. We hypothesize the elucidation of associations between SNPs in Type-I Interferon and Interferon inducible genes and HCV recurrence post-liver transplantation might help to identify …

The Expression Of Neutrophil Products, Myeloperoxidase And Matrix Metalloproteinase 8, In Systemic Vasculature Of Obese And Preeclamptic Women, Juhi Shukla

Theses and Dissertations

Evidence shows the activation of neutrophils in the systemic vasculature of obese and preeclamptic women. In this study, I evaluated whether expression of neutrophil products, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMPS), was associated with neutrophil infiltration in systemic vascular tissue of obese and preeclamptic women. I tested my hypotheses by using immunohistochemical studies to look at the expression of MPO and MMP8 in the vasculature of obese and preeclamptic women. There was a significantly greater expression of MPO and MMP8 in the vasculature of preeclamptic women as compared to normal pregnant and normalnonpregnant women. The vasculature of obese women …

Divergent Roles Of Pi3k And Akt In Rapamycin-Induced Cardioprotection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Shivani Kirit Desai

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death every year with nearly three-fourths of all deaths caused by the disease. The challenge scientists are facing today is discovering new drugs to protect the heart against cellular damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R injury). Rapamycin is one such drug that has been shown to protect the heart against ischemia-induced cellular injury. Rapamycin(sirolimus) inhibits protein synthesis through inhibition of the mammalian target ofrapamycin (mTOR). This property of rapamycin has led to its current clinical applications in drug-eluting stents and in immunosuppresive treatment to organ transplant patients. The mechanism …

Effects Of Cxcl8 Overexpression On Tumor Cell Proliferation And Migration In An Hnscc Cell Model, Emil Paul Christofakis

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the 6th most common malignancyworldwide. Recently, a link between cancer and inflammation has been found. Mediatingthis relationship are the chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. CXCL8 (Interleukin-8), a CXC ELR+ Chemokine mainly responsible for neutrophil chemoattraction, has beenimplicated in increased tumor proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. The current studytests the effects of CXCL8 on the tumor proliferation and metastasis. By genetically modifying cells to knockdown or overexpress the CXCL8 gene we tested its biological rolein head and neck cancer progression. Overexpression of CXCL8 in HN4 tumor cells withlow endogenous CXCL8 levels was found to increase …

Electrospun Blends Of Polydioxanone And Fibrinogen For Urological Applications, Joshua Ford Grant

Theses and Dissertations

The need for tissue and organ replacements cannot be satisfied by autograft and allografts alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of electrospinning a blend of polydioxanone and fibrinogen to produce an engineered tissue scaffold. Fiber diameter and pore size of blends were characterized, as well as mechanical strength. Cell proliferation assays for 1 and 7 day cultures were preformed, and a histological evaluation was performed to determine how favorable the various blends were to cell infiltration and proliferation. Some ratios of blends were identified that contained both acceptable mechanical properties and properties that facilitated cell …

Vglut And Gad65 Expression In Physiologically Characterized Ia Afferents, Ivonne Nkoli Ukpabi

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Peripheral nerve injury is known to induce several changes in the physiology and morphology of the injured afferent. These changes include hyperexcitability, decreased dorsal root potentials (DRP), loss of synaptic vesicles as well as loss of the vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT1. While many of the changes caused by peripheral injury revert with regeneration, others appear to be permanent. The loss of the stretch reflex for example is a puzzling outcome of recovery after peripheral nerve transection and regeneration, especially given that the electrical counterpart of the stretch reflex (the H-reflex) recovers after regeneration. We hypothesized that stretch induced transmission is …