Life Sciences Commons^™

Aerobic Exercise Improves Depressive Symptoms In The Unilateral 6-Ohda-Lesioned Rat Model Of Parkinson's Disease, Hannah Loughlin, Jacob Jackson, Chloe Looman, Alayna Starll, Jeremy Goldman, Zhiying Shan, Chunxiu Yu

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Aerobic exercise has been shown to have established benefits on motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of exercise on depressive symptoms in PD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular exercise, specifically using a forced running wheel, on both motor performance and the prevalence of depression in a unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of PD. The behavioral outcomes of exercise were assessed through the rotarod test (RT), forelimb adjusting step test (FAST), sucrose consumption test (SCT), and novelty sucrose splash test (NSST). Our data revealed evident depressive symptoms in the PD animals, characterized by …

Induction Of Neuroinflammation And Brain Oxidative Stress By Brain-Derived Extracellular Vesicles From Hypertensive Rats, Xinqian Chen, Xin Yan, Leah Gingerich, Qing Hui Chen, Lanrong Bi, Zhiying Shan

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Neuroinflammation and brain oxidative stress are recognized as significant contributors to hypertension including salt sensitive hypertension. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an essential role in intercellular communication in various situations, including physiological and pathological ones. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that EVs derived from the brains of hypertensive rats with salt sensitivity could trigger neuroinflammation and oxidative stress during hypertension development. To test this hypothesis, we compared the impact of EVs isolated from the brains of hypertensive Dahl Salt-Sensitive rats (DSS) and normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD) rats on inflammatory factors and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production in primary neuronal …

Acetic Acid: An Underestimated Metabolite In Ethanol-Induced Changes In Regulating Cardiovascular Function, Andrew D. Chapp, Zhiying Shan, Qing Hui Chen

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Acetic acid is a bioactive short-chain fatty acid produced in large quantities from ethanol metabolism. In this review, we describe how acetic acid/acetate generates oxidative stress, alters the function of pre-sympathetic neurons, and can potentially influence cardiovascular function in both humans and rodents after ethanol consumption. Our recent findings from in vivo and in vitro studies support the notion that administration of acetic acid/acetate generates oxidative stress and increases sympathetic outflow, leading to alterations in arterial blood pressure. Real-time investigation of how ethanol and acetic acid/acetate modulate neural control of cardiovascular function can be conducted by microinjecting compounds into autonomic …

Innovative Cyanine-Based Fluorescent Dye For Targeted Mitochondrial Imaging And Its Utility In Whole-Brain Visualization, Xin Yan, Xinqian Chen, Zhiying Shan, Lanrong Bi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Conducting in vivo brain imaging can be a challenging task due to the complexity of brain tissue and the strict requirements for safe and effective imaging agents. However, a new fluorescent dye called Cy5-PEG2 has been developed that selectively accumulates in mitochondria, enabling the visualization of these essential organelles in various cell lines. This dye is versatile and can be used for the real-time monitoring of mitochondrial dynamics in living cells. Moreover, it can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it a promising tool for noninvasive in vivo brain imaging. Based on the assessment of glial cell responses in the hippocampus …

Using A Reverse Visually Guided Reaching Task To Distinguish Between Healthy Aging And Early Alzheimer’S Disease, Brandon Woolman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Changes in motor behavior may function as a proxy for cognitive decline. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impairments in learning and memory, recent studies suggest that subtle changes in motor task performance may reflect early cognitive changes. For example, the visuomotor rotation task that manipulates visual feedback about hand position during reaching movements, can be used to examine cognitive changes in aging populations. The current study used the reverse visually guided reaching task (rVGR) which rotates visual feedback of participant’s hand position 180⁰ relative to the actual hand position. We sought to expand on previous literature by recruiting …

Exploring Usability In Exercise Interventions: From Conceptualization To Measurement And Application, Anne Inger Mørtvedt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Exercise interventions hold promise for preventing and treating numerous conditions, diseases, and injuries. However, these interventions will only be effective if they are being used. Unfortunately, uptake and adherence to prescribed exercise and physical activity guidelines are insufficient. Some reasons for this include lack of knowledge, resources, flexibility, and enjoyment. Exercise program developers need to not only consider the effectiveness of the program during the development phase, but also involve end-users and receive feedback on program usability to determine likelihood of uptake and adoption. Usability testing can be used to detect barriers to use and implementation likelihood but has not …

Engineering Exosomes To Specifically Target The Mitochondria Of Brain Cells, Xin Yan, Xinqian Chen, Zhiying Shan, Lanrong Bi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial-targeting therapy aims to restore or enhance mitochondrial function to treat or alleviate these conditions. Exosomes, small vesicles that cells secrete, containing a variety of biomolecules, are critical in cell-to-cell communication and have been studied as potential therapeutic agents. Exosome-based therapy has the potential to treat both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Combining these two approaches involves using exosomes as carriers to transport mitochondrial-targeting agents to dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria within target cells. This article presents a new technique for engineering brain-derived exosomes that target mitochondria and has …

Engineering Exosomes To Specifically Target The Mitochondria Of Brain Cells, Xin Yan, Xinqian Chen, Zhiying Shan, Lanrong Bi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial-targeting therapy aims to restore or enhance mitochondrial function to treat or alleviate these conditions. Exosomes, small vesicles that cells secrete, containing a variety of biomolecules, are critical in cell-to-cell communication and have been studied as potential therapeutic agents. Exosome-based therapy has the potential to treat both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Combining these two approaches involves using exosomes as carriers to transport mitochondrial-targeting agents to dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria within target cells. This article presents a new technique for engineering brain-derived exosomes that target mitochondria and has …

Blood Flow Restriction As A Potential Therapy To Restore Physical Function Following Covid-19 Infection, Isaac J. Wedig, John J. Durocher, John Mcdaniel, Steve Elmer

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Accumulating evidence indicates that some COVID-19 survivors display reduced muscle mass, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity, which contribute to impairments in physical function that can persist for months after the acute phase of illness. Accordingly, strategies to restore muscle mass, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity following infection are critical to mitigate the long-term consequences of COVID-19. Blood flow restriction (BFR), which involves the application of mechanical compression to the limbs, presents a promising therapy that could be utilized throughout different phases of COVID-19 illness. Specifically, we hypothesize that: 1) use of passive BFR modalities can mitigate losses of muscle mass …

Single-Leg Cycling To Maintain And Improve Function In Healthy And Clinical Populations, C. Eric Heidorn, Steve Elmer, Kyle W. Wehmanen, James C. Martin, John Mcdaniel

Michigan Tech Publications

Exercise with reduced muscle mass facilitates greater muscle-specific adaptations than training with larger muscle mass. The smaller active muscle mass can demand a greater portion of cardiac output which allows muscle(s) to perform greater work and subsequently elicit robust physiological adaptations that improve health and fitness. One reduced active muscle mass exercise that can promote greater positive physiological adaptations is single-leg cycling (SLC). Specifically, SLC confines the cycling exercise to a smaller muscle mass resulting in greater limb specific blood flow (i.e., blood flow is no longer “shared” by both legs) which allows the individual to exercise at a greater …

Conductive 3d Nano-Biohybrid Systems Based On Densified Carbon Nanotube Forests And Living Cells, Roya Bagheri, Alicia K. Ball, Masoud Kasraie, Aparna Chandra, Xinqian Chen, Ibrahim Miskioglu, Zhiying Shan, Parisa Pour Shahid Saeed Abadi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Conductive biohybrid cell-material systems have applications in bioelectronics and biorobotics. To date, conductive scaffolds are limited to those with low electrical conductivity or 2D sheets. Here, 3D biohybrid conductive systems are developed using fibroblasts or cardiomyocytes integrated with carbon nanotube (CNT) forests that are densified due to interactions with a gelatin coating. CNT forest scaffolds with a height range of 120–240 µm and an average electrical conductivity of 0.6 S/cm are developed and shown to be cytocompatible as evidenced from greater than 89% viability measured by live-dead assay on both cells on day 1. The cells spread on top and …

Beyond The Baroreflex: A New Measure Of Autonomic Regulation Based On The Time-Frequency Assessment Of Variability, Phase Coherence And Couplings, Philip T. Clemson, Jeffrey B. Hoag, William H. Cooke, Dwain L. Eckberg, Aneta Stefanovska

Michigan Tech Publications

For decades the role of autonomic regulation and the baroreflex in the generation of the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) - modulation of heart rate by the frequency of breathing - has been under dispute. We hypothesized that by using autonomic blockers we can reveal which oscillations and their interactions are suppressed, elucidating their involvement in RSA as well as in cardiovascular regulation more generally. R-R intervals, end tidal CO2, finger arterial pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were measured simultaneously in 7 subjects during saline, atropine and propranolol infusion. The measurements were repeated during spontaneous and fixed-frequency breathing, and …

Control Of Orthodontic Tooth Movement By Nitric Oxide Releasing Nanoparticles In Sprague-Dawley Rats, Derrick Crawford, Tommy C. Lau, Megan C. Frost, Nan E. Hatch

Michigan Tech Publications

Orthodontic treatment commonly requires the need to prevent movement of some teeth while maximizing movement of other teeth. This study aimed to investigate the influence of locally injected nitric oxide (NO) releasing nanoparticles on orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Materials and Methods: Experimental tooth movement was achieved with nickel-titanium alloy springs ligated between the maxillary first molar and ipsilateral incisor. 2.2 mg/kg of silica nanoparticles containing S-nitrosothiol groups were injected into the mucosa just mesial to 1st molar teeth immediately prior to orthodontic appliance activation. NO release from nanoparticles was measured in vitro by chemiluminescence. Tooth movement was measured using …

Physiological Responses To Acute Cycling With Blood Flow Restriction, Matthew A. Kilgas, Tejin Yoon, John Mcdaniel, Kevin Phillips, Steve Elmer

Michigan Tech Publications

Aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) can improve muscular function and aerobic capacity. However, the extent to which cuff pressure influences acute physiological responses to aerobic exercise with BFR is not well documented. We compared blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and neuromuscular responses to acute cycling with and without BFR. Ten participants completed four intermittent cycling (6 × 2 min) conditions: low-load cycling (LL), low-load cycling with BFR at 60% of limb occlusion pressure (BFR60), low-load cycling with BFR at 80% of limb occlusion pressure (BFR80), and high-load cycling (HL). Tissue oxygenation, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual responses were assessed during …

Activation Of Orexin System Stimulates Camkii Expression, Yuanyuan Fan, Enshe Jiang, Huanjia Gao, Jeremy Bigalke, Bojun Chen, Chunxiu Yu, Qinghui Chen, Zhiying Shan

Michigan Tech Publications

Hyperactivity of the orexin system within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) has been shown to contribute to increased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and blood pressure (BP) in rodent animals. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that orexin system activation stimulates calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) expression and activation, and stimulation of CaMKII expressing PVN neurons increases SNA and BP. Real-time PCR and/or western blot were carried out to test the effect of orexin-A administration on CaMKII expression in the PVN of normal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) expressing PC12 cells. Immunostaining was …

Activation Of Orexin 1 Receptors In The Paraventricular Nucleus Contributes To The Development Of Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt Hypertension Through Regulation Of Vasopressin, Jeremy Bigalke, Huanjia Gao, Qing Hui Chen, Zhiying Shan

Michigan Tech Publications

Salt-sensitivity is a major factor in the development of hypertension. The brain orexin system has been observed to play a role in numerous hypertensive animal models. However, orexin’s role in the pathology of salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) remains to be adequately explored. We assessed the impact of orexin hyperactivity in the pathogenesis of the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) – salt rat model, specifically through modulation of Arginine Vasopressin (AVP). Adult male rats were separated into three groups: vehicle control, DOCA-salt, and DOCA-salt+OX1R-shRNA. DOCA-salt rats received subcutaneous implantation of a 21-day release, 75 mg DOCA pellet in addition to saline drinking water (1% …

Gas Measurement Device, Megan C. Frost, Weilue He

Michigan Tech Patents

A device including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a membrane permeable to neutral gases but impermeable to water that is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first layer including PVDF and PDMS, and the PVDF has a plurality of pores at least partially filled with at least some of the PDMS.

Sex Differences In Self-Report Anxiety And Sleep Quality During Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders, Jeremy Bigalke, Ian Greenlund, Jason R. Carter

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: COVID-19 and home isolation has impacted quality of life, but the perceived impact on anxiety and sleep remains equivocal. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders on self-report anxiety and sleep quality, with a focus on sex differences. We hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic would be associated with increased anxiety and decreased sleep quality, with stronger associations in women. Methods: One hundred three participants (61 female, 38 ± 1 years) reported perceived changes in anxiety and sleep quality due to stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic and were administered the Spielberger …

The Influence Of Thermal Alterations On Prefrontal Cortex Activation And Neuromuscular Function During A Fatiguing Task, Kevin Phillips, Derek Verbrigghe, Alex Gabe, Brittany Jauquet, Claire Eischer, Tejin Yoon

Michigan Tech Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation, neuromuscular function, and perceptual measures in response to a fatiguing task, following thermal alterations of an exercising arm. Nineteen healthy adults completed three experimental sessions. At baseline, participants performed maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the elbow flexors. Next, participants submerged their right arm in a water bath for 15 min. Cold (C), neutral (N), and hot (H) water temperatures were maintained at 8, 33, and 44◦C, respectively. Following water immersion, participants performed an isometric elbow flexion contraction, at 20% of their MVIC, for 5 min. Ratings of …

Acute Physiological Responses To Arm-Cranking With Blood Flow Restriction, Benjamin Cockfield

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Physiological responses to aerobic blood flow restriction exercise (BFR) are well documented for lower-body exercise but not upper-body exercise. I evaluated cardiorespiratory (heart rate, VO2, RER, ventilation), metabolic (tissue saturation, deoxyhemoglobin concentrations), and perceptual (effort, pain) responses to arm cranking with BFR at varying arterial occlusion pressures (AOP). Ten adults performed 4 intermittent arm cranking protocols (6x2-min, 1-min recovery): 1) low load (LL) – 40%VO2peak and 0% AOP; high load (HL) – 80%VO2peak and 0% AOP; (BFR50) – 40%VO2peak with 50% AOP; (BFR70) – 40%VO2peak with 70% AOP. Heart rate, RER, and ventilation, were higher with BFR compared to LL …

Energy Cost Associated With Moving Platforms., Carolyn A Duncan, Scott N Mackinnon, Jacques F Marais, Fabien A Basset

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: Previous research suggests motion induced fatigue contributes to significant performance degradation and is likely related to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. However, the exact effect of continuous multidirectional platform perturbations on energy cost (EC) with experienced personnel on boats and other seafaring vessels remains unknown.

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to measure the metabolic ECs associated with maintaining postural stability in a motion-rich environment.

Methods: Twenty volunteer participants, who were free of any musculoskeletal or balance disorders, performed three tasks while immersed in a moving environment that varied motion profiles similar to those experienced by …

No-Releasing Polymers And Uses Thereof, Megan C. Frost, Genevieve Romanowicz

Michigan Tech Patents

The present invention provides stable, photosensitive polymers that release NO response to intensity and wavelength of light, methods of making such polymers and methods using such polymers.

In-Class Cycling To Augment College Student Academic Performance And Reduce Physical Inactivity: Results From An Rct, Lanae Joubert, Matthew A. Kilgas, Alexandrea Riley, Yuba Gautam, Lars Donath, Scott Drum

Michigan Tech Publications

Most college students sit 14 hours per week on average, excluding sedentary study time. Researchers observing workplace and elementary school settings with active workstations to combat sedentary behavior have shown enhanced cognition without distraction. Until now, incorporating active workstations in college classroom settings remained relatively unexplored. This study’s purpose was to assess academic performance using in-class stationary cycle desks during a semester-long lecture course. Twenty-one college students (19–24 years) enrolled in a lecture course volunteered and were split into traditional sit (SIT) and stationary cycle (CYC) groups randomly, matched on a calculated factor equal to a physical activity (PA) score …

The Effect Of Myosync™ Supplementation On Physical Performance In Division Ii College Football Players, Matthew Gage

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of Myosync™ on physical performance in Division II football players. Methods: Fourteen male Division II football players (20.4 ± 1.0 years) participated in a randomized double blind crossover experiment. Subjects were either given Myosync™ or a placebo control 60 minutes prior to any physical testing measures. Testing consisted of, maximum vertical jumps, maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), maximal voluntary concentric contractions (MVCC), and fatiguing contractions for the knee extensor muscles. Recovery measures consisted of one MVIC and MVCCs 10 minutes after fatiguing task. Results: There was no …

Development And Validation Of The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury-Risk-Estimation Quiz (Acl-Iq), Erich J. Petushek

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Over 2 million Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries occur annually worldwide resulting in considerable economic and health burdens (e.g., suffering, surgery, loss of function, risk for re-injury, and osteoarthritis). Current screening methods are effective but they generally rely on expensive and time-consuming biomechanical movement analysis, and thus are impractical solutions. In this dissertation, I report on a series of studies that begins to investigate one potentially efficient alternative to biomechanical screening, namely skilled observational risk assessment (e.g., having experts estimate risk based on observations of athletes movements). Specifically, in Study 1 I discovered that ACL injury risk can be accurately …