Digital Commons Network^™

Variability Of Vertical Ground Reaction Forces In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain, Before And After Chiropractic Care, Brent S. Russell, Mark D. Geil, Jianhua Wu, Kathryn T. Hoiriis

Kinesiology Theses

Introduction

Many chiropractic articles and textbooks discuss gait, but there actually has been little research into the effects of chiropractic adjustment on gait. This pilot study used a quantitative method of gait evaluation before and after a series of chiropractic visits. Hypotheses: (1) adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) would show increased variability in vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) while walking, as compared to healthy control subjects, and (2) that, following chiropractic care, will show decreased variability.

Methods

VGRF data were collected for 6 controls and compared to 9 CLBP participants, who were also evaluated before and after the …

Effects Of Exercise Training On Fat Oxidation In Untrained Overweight And Obese Females, Kelly Manning

Kinesiology Dissertations

This study examined whether a high-intensity interval (IT) or a continuous steady-state (CT) exercise training program had the greatest effect on fat oxidation rates and fat mass loss in a population of untrained overweight and obese females. Thirteen female subjects (VO_2peak 30.6 ± 1.29 ml^.kg^.min^-1, BMI 29 ± 0.79, fat mass [FM] 33.3 ± 2.09 kg) were randomly assigned to either a CT (exercise at the relative intensity that elicits the maximal fat oxidation rate [FAT_max] ) or an IT (intervals alternating 5 minutes at 40% and 85% VO_2peak) …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of Physical Activity Interventions For Older Adults, Iina E. Antikainen

Kinesiology Dissertations

Regular physical activity can help prevent chronic conditions and it is positively linked to health-related quality of life (United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2000). Unfortunately, many older adults do not engage in leisure time activity (USDHHS, 2000); making it important to design and test physical activity interventions for this population. The purpose of this dissertation was to review the external validity of theory-based physical activity interventions and to examine the efficacy of a mail-based physical activity intervention. The review included 54 theory-based interventions and overall the studies focused on internal rather than external validity. The hypotheses …

The Relationship Between Carbohydrate Restrictive Diets And Body Fat Percentage In The Female Athlete, Lauren L. Lorenzo

Nutrition Theses

Purpose: To assess the dietary intake and body composition of recreational and competitive female athletes, for the purpose of analyzing the relationships between macronutrient intake and body composition.. The main aim was to determine the relationship between caloric intake, carbohydrate (CHO) intake and protein intake with body fat percentage in active females. Methods: Using an IRB approved protocol, 44 volunteer female recreational and competitive athletes 18 years of age or older were recruited. Interviews were conducted to gather information on within day energy balance by assessing the time and amount of foods/beverages consumed, and the duration and intensity (using a …

The Nutrition Environment Measurements Survey: An Assessment Of The Vending Machine Food And Drink Environment At Georgia State University, Ashley Depriest

Nutrition Theses

Purpose: Vending machines are a component of the food environment that influences dietary choices. Previous vending machine studies have focused on schools and work sites. The purpose of this study was to utilize the Nutrition Environment Measurements Survey-Vending (NEMS-V) online tool to evaluate and rank the nutritional value of the vending environment of a large urban university.

Methods: A sample size of 40 vending machines at Georgia State University (GSU) was chosen. A list of products in each machine was recorded and given either a red, yellow or green ranking based on their nutrient content. Finally, the NEMS-V online tool …

Attenuated Effects Of Opiates In Adolescent Vs. Adult Male Rats: Reinforcement, Relapse, And Withdrawal, James M. Doherty

Neuroscience Institute Dissertations

Adolescence in humans is a vulnerable period for illicit drug use, and teenage onset of drug use is associated with long-term addiction. Adolescent sensitivity to drug reinforcement, relapse, and withdrawal has not been explored thoroughly in animal models, especially considering opiate drugs such as morphine and heroin. The present series of studies profiles adolescent sensitivity to opiates using adolescent and adult male rats to test for age differences in opiate self-administration, reinstatement, withdrawal signs, locomotor sensitization, and even brain activation during drug-seeking. To test for acute sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of morphine or heroin, we compared patterns of self-administration …

Attenuated Cocaine Seeking After Adolescent-Onset Of Cocaine Self-Administration In Male Rats: Behavior, Environment, And Genes, Chen Li

Biology Dissertations

Recreational drug use peaks in the developmental stage of adolescence in humans. In this dissertation, we used a rodent model of adolescence and behavioral assessments of intravenous (i.v.) cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of cocaine-seeking to explore age differences in these cocaine-related behaviors, and then tested for the influence of environmental enrichment and for correlations between behavior and expression of plasticity genes. Although taking similar amount of cocaine, male rats trained to self-administer cocaine during adolescence (adolescent-onset) showed attenuated cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking compared with adults. This attenuated cue-induced reinstatement did not generalize to a natural reward, sucrose pellets. Then …

Teacher Practices, Attitudes, And Perceptions About The Decatur Farm To School Program, Ana Kucelin

Nutrition Theses

Purpose: Farm to School (F2S) Programs are increasing in number across the United States, yet research on teachers’ perceptions and practices about F2S is limited. Teachers are a key component of any F2S program, since their acceptance and support influences program implementation and sustainability. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher practices, attitudes, and perceptions about the Decatur F2S Program.

Methods: City Schools of Decatur teachers completed a questionnaire designed to obtain information concerning their practices, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the Decatur F2S Program. Participants indicated their level of agreement with 18 statements using a Likert scale rating, …

Systematic Studies Of Kir And Trp Channel Mrnas In The Norepinephrenergic Neurons Of The Locus Coeruleus, Sakuntala Jyothirmayee Tadepalli

Biology Theses

Neurons in the Locus coeruleus (LC) play an important role in the central CO₂ chemosensitivity. However, the molecular mechanisms for neuronal CO₂ chemosensitivity remain unclear. To demonstrate the expression of pH/CO₂ sensitive ion channels, we screened the inward rectifier K⁺ channels (Kir) and transient receptor protein (TRP) channels, as parallel studies in this lab suggested that certain Kir and TRP channels are involved in neuronal responses to high levels of CO₂. Our results showed that several members of the Kir and TRP channel families were robustly expressed in the LC neurons at the mRNA …

Study Of Innate Immune Response Components In West Nile Virus Infected Cells, Husni M. Elbahesh

Biology Dissertations

Two cellular innate responses, the dsRNA protein kinase (PKR) pathway and the 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)/RNase L pathway, are activated by dsRNAs produced by viruses and reduce translation of host and viral mRNAs. PKR activation results in eIF2a phosphorylation. As a consequence of eIF2a phosphorylation, stress granules (SGs) are formed by the aggregation of stalled SG proteins with pre-initiation complexes and mRNA. West Nile virus (WNV) infections do not induce eIF2a phosphorylation despite upregulation of PKR mRNA and protein suggesting an active suppression of PKR activation. Assessment of the mechanism of suppression of PKR activation in WNV-infected cells indicated that …

Bactericidal Mechanisms Of Escapin, A Protein In The Ink Of A Sea Hare, Kochun Ko

Biology Dissertations

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A 60 kDa monomeric protein isolated from the defensive purple ink secretion of the sea hare Aplysia californica has broad antimicrobial activity in tryptone peptone rich medium. This protein, which we call ‘escapin’, belongs to an _L-amino acid oxidase family. The …

The 26s Proteasome And Histone Modifying Enzymes Regulate, Agnieszka D. Truax

Biology Dissertations

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class-II (MHC-II) molecules are critical regulators of adaptive immunity that present extracellular antigens required to activate CD4⁺ T cells. MHC-II are regulated at the level of transcription by master regulator, the Class II Transactivator (CIITA), whose association with the MHC-II promoter is necessary to initiate transcription. Recently, much research focused on novel mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of critical genes like MHC-II and CIITA; findings that the macromolecular complex of the 26S-proteasome is involved in transcription have been perhaps the most exciting as they impart novel functions to a well studied system. Proteasome is a multi-subunit complex …

B Virus Infection Activates P38 And Jnk Pathways Differentially In Cells From Macaque Versus Human Hosts: Exploring Inflammation & Apoptosis, Rachael M. Farah-Abraham

Biology Dissertations

B virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1), subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, causes a fatal, neurovirulent infection in zoonotically infected humans. Macaques (Macaca sp.) serve as the natural host for B virus and they are frequently seropositive for B virus antibodies without showing any overt signs of disease. The global hypothesis of these studies is that B virus, a highly cytopathic virus in macaques, subverts the innate immune responses in the host (macaques) that has co-evolved with it (the virus) differently than it does the foreign host (humans). The foreign host, frequently fails to produce neutralizing antibodies early after infection and this …

Effectiveness Of Social Media Marketing: An Experimental Inquiry On College Students’ Awareness Of, Interest In, And Intention To Participate In A Campus Recreation Special Event, Kendra S. Bayne

Kinesiology Theses

This study examined the effectiveness of social media marketing on college students attending a recreation special event. Facebook and Twitter were assessed via an experimental design. To measure the effectiveness of these applications (through updating statuses) on a college student’s awareness, interest, and intent of attending a special event, three groups were employed (Facebook, Twitter, and Control). A total of 134 participants were recruited via six undergraduate courses and were assigned into three groups based on their social media consumption. Subjects responded to a pre-survey, joined their respective treatment group, and completed a post-survey. Descriptive statistics revealed that awareness increased …

Vascular Katp Channel Modulation By S-Glutathionylation: A Novel Mechanism For Cellular Response To Oxidative Stress, Yang Yang

Biology Dissertations

The K_ATP channels play an important role in the membrane excitability and vascular tone regulation. Previous studies indicate that the function of K_ATP channels is disrupted in oxidative stress seen in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate S-glutathionylation to be a modulation mechanism underlying the oxidant-mediated vascular K_ATP channel inhibition, the molecular basis for the channel inhibition and the alleviation of the channel inhibition by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). We found that an exposure of isolated mesenteric rings to H₂O₂ impaired the K_ATP channel-mediated vascular …

Oxidized Lipid And Its Association With Markers Of Adiposity Nhanes-2005-06, Payal Arora

Nutrition Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are found in nuts and seeds, salad dressings and vegetable oil and are prone to oxidation during storage and food preparation. Evidence supports that consumption of oxidized lipids promotes atherosclerosis and glucose intolerance in animal models. However there is a dearth of evidence with regard to the amount of oxidized lipids consumed and its association with parameters of adiposity and glucose homeostasis in humans.

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the amount of oxidized lipids in common foods and the oxidized lipid consumption in the US population using the data from …

Chemical Defenses Of Aplysia Californica And Sensory Processing By Predatory Fishes, Matthew Nusnbaum

Neuroscience Institute Dissertations

In predator-prey interactions, prey species have complex defensive behaviors to protect themselves from predators. Chemical defenses are one tool that is employed to protect against predators, especially for slow-moving or otherwise susceptible prey. Many of these chemical defenses have been studied and the effective compounds identified, but few studies were performed on their mechanisms of detection.

In my research, I used the sea hare, Aplysia californica, as chemically defended prey. This slow moving mollusk is soft-bodied with no external shell, but it has adapted a number of defenses including chemical defenses. Ink is a sticky mixture of the products …

Study Of Cellular Activities In Response To Metal-Induced Apoptosis In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Ftir, Rupa Koduru

Biology Theses

Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits an apoptotic response upon exposure to toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu). Preliminary findings indicate that this response is dependent –to some extent- on the presence of a fermentable carbon source, glucose. To investigate this dependency we monitored the apoptotic response to both metals in the presence and absence of glucose and have shown that glucose is absolutely necessary in order to induce apoptosis in yeast at least during the exposure to metal. We have also looked at the biochemical changes that are taking place in yeast when treated with Cd using Fourier Transform …

Serum Vitamin Concentrations Are Associated With Metabolic Syndrome And Insulin Resistance In Us Children, Nida I. Shaikh

Nutrition Theses

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a concern in the US. Association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance (IR), and inflammation is unclear in children. Objective: The relationship between serum vitamin D and MetS, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Homeostatic Model Assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) was investigated. Design: Data from 3 cycles of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2006 for 3700 (1820, boys; 1880, girls) children and adolescents, aged 12-17 y were used to assess prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng>/mL) and association between serum vitamin D and prevalence of MetS, various components of MetS, CRP, and HOMA-IR …

The Effects Of Selective Estrogenic Drugs In The Medial Amygdala On Male Rat Sexual Behavior, Ejiroghene V. Ogaga-Mgbonyebi

Biology Theses

Male rat copulatory behavior is dependent on Testosterone (T) and its metabolites, estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms, ERα and ERβ, exist in the medial Amygdala (MEA) and either receptor might mediate mating behavior. Therefore, the effects of selective estrogenic MEA implants: propyl pyrazole triol (PPT, ERα agonist), diarylpropionitrile (DPN, ERβ agonist), and 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP, ERα antagonist) were compared to E2 in maintaining sexual behavior. Four groups of male rats were castrated and administered DHT s.c. and bilateral MEA implants containing either cholesterol, E2, PPT or DPN. An additional group of gonadally intact male rats …

Differential Gene Expression In Bugula Neritina During Symbiotic Association With "Candidatus Endobugula Sertula", Meril Mathew

Biology Theses

The colonial marine bryozoan, Bugula neritina, harbors an uncultured endosymbiont, “Candidatus Endobugula sertula” throughout its life stages. The bacterial symbiont has been proposed to be a source of complex polyketide metabolites, the bryostatins, that chemically defend B. neritina larvae from predation. Within a bryozoan colony, significantly higher amounts of bryostatins are found in ovicell-bearing zooids where the developing larvae are brooded, as compared to ovicell-free zooids. It is hypothesized that signaling between B. neritina and “Ca. Endobugula sertula” may be involved in the regulation of bryostatin production in different zooids, as well as in maintenance of the symbiosis. In this …

Food Store Audits: Examining Food Price, Availability, And Quailty, Before And After Relocation Of Public Housing Residents, Anjenique Anderson

Nutrition Theses

In an effort to deconcentrate poverty, Atlanta is attempting to become the first city in the U.S. to completely eliminate public housing by relocating ≈ 10,000 residents. Research has shown that the health status of public housing residents is worse than any other population. Evidence also suggests that there is an inverse relationship between neighborhood availability of healthy, affordable foods and diet intake. The aim of this study was to compare the price, availability, and quality of food items in the public housing residents’ communities, before and after relocation. Using Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS), a total of 42 food …

The Effectiveness Of A Short Food Frequency Questionnaire In Determining The Adequacy Of Vitamin D Intake In Children, Caitlin Russell

Nutrition Theses

Background: Studies have consistently found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents. Few validated dietary intake assessment tools for vitamin D exist for adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if a short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) can be used to effectively assess vitamin D intake in adolescents compared to a previously validated long food frequency questionnaire (LFFQ).

Participants/setting: 140 healthy 6-12 year old (male n=81) Caucasian and African American (n=94) children from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania completed a SFFQ and LFFQ at two time points 6 months apart.

Main outcome measures: Reliability and validity of a …

Quorum Sensing Inhibitory Activities Of Various Folk-Medicinal Plants And The Thyme-Tetracycline Effect., Maria M. Nagy

Biology Dissertations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen for which antibiotic resistance and biofilm development is common. Quorum sensing communication is known to be a major controlling factor in virulence gene expression, biofilm development, antibiotic resistance factors, and specifically MexAB-OprM multi-drug efflux pump expression in P.aeruginosa. MexAB-OprM efflux pumps contribute to antibiotic resistance of tetracycline and other antibiotics in pseudomonads and other organisms. P.aeruginosa infections are problematic in cystic fibrosis and burn patients; it is also the number one causative agent of respiratory infections for intensive care unit patients. Present day antibiotics are losing the battle against these infections. In theory, …

Early Epigenetic Regulation Of The Adaptive Immune Response Gene Ciita, Ninad T. Mehta

Biology Theses

The precise regulation of Major Histocompatibility class II (MHC-II) genes plays an important role in the control of the adaptive immune response. MHC-II genes are expressed constitutively in only a few cell types, but their expression can be induced by the inflammatory response cytokine interferon gamma (INF-γ). The regulation of MHC-II is controlled by a Master Regulator, the class II transactivator (CIITA). Multiple studies have shown that CIITA regulated expression of MHC-II is controlled and induced by INF-γ. It has been also shown that a functional CIITA gene is necessary for the expression of MHC-II genes. CIITA is thus a …