Life Sciences Commons^™

Measuring Enjoyment Of Physical Activity In Older Adults: Invariance Of The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (Paces) Across Group And Time, Sean P. Mullen, Erin A. Olson, Siobhan M. Phillips, Amanda N. Szabo, Thomas R. Wójcicki, Emily L. Mailey, Neha P. Gothe, Jason T. Fanning, Arthur F. Kramer, Edward Mcauley

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

The purpose of this study was to validate the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) in a sample of older adults. Participants within two different exercise groups were assessed at two time points, 6 months apart. Group and longitudinal invariance was established for a novel, 8-item version of the PACES. The shortened, psychometrically sound measure provides researchers and practitioners an expedited and reliable instrument for assessing the enjoyment of physical activity.

Effects Of Diet Type And Supplementation Of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, And Msm On Body Composition, Functional Status, And Markers Of Health In Women With Knee Osteoarthritis Initiating A Resistance-Based Exercise And Weight Loss Program, Teresa Magrans-Courtney, Colin Wilborn, Christopher Rasmussen, Maria Pontes Ferreira, Lori Greenwood, Bill Campbell, Chad M. Kerksick, Erica Nassar, Rui Li, Mike Iosia, Matt Cooke, Kristin Dugan, Darryn Willoughby, Luann Soliah, Richard B. Kreider

Nutrition and Food Science Faculty Research Publications

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether sedentary obese women with knee OA initiating an exercise and weight loss program may experience more beneficial changes in body composition, functional capacity, and/or markers of health following a higher protein diet compared to a higher carbohydrate diet with or without GCM supplementation.

Methods: Thirty sedentary women (54 ± 9 yrs, 163 ± 6 cm, 88.6 ± 13 kg, 46.1 ± 3% fat, 33.3 ± 5 kg/m²) with clinically diagnosed knee OA participated in a 14-week exercise and weight loss program. Participants followed an isoenergenic low fat higher …

Axogial Communication Mediated By Soluble Neuregulin-1 And Bdnf, Zhenzhong Ma

Wayne State University Dissertations

During peripheral nervous system development, successful communication between axons and glial cells including Schwann cells in peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in central nervous system, is required for the proper functions of both neurons and glia. Three types of alternatively-spliced proteins belonging to the neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene family of growth and differentiation factors are essential for Schwann cell survival and peripheral nerve development. While membrane-bound NRG1 forms (type III) has been strongly implicated in the regulation of myelination process at late stage of Schwann cell development, little is known about the role of soluble, heparin-binding forms of NRG1 (type I/II) …

Mechanisms Of Persistent Translation Arrest Following Global Brain Ischemia And Reperfusion, Jill Theresa Jamison

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

MECHANISMS OF PERSISTENT TRANSLATION ARREST FOLLOWING GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA and REPERFUSION

by

JILL T. JAMISON

December 2011

Advisor: Donald J. DeGracia, Ph.D.

Major: Physiology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The information presented here studies the mechanisms that underlie persistent translation arrest (TA) following global brain ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). To summarize the main findings I have discovered a new mechanism for prolonged post-ischemic TA that correlated exactly with in vivo translation rates and correlated precisely with cell outcome. Through the extensive colocalization studies, my results indicate that the mRNA granules are ribonomic structures involved with mRNA regulation. This finding is …

Psychosocial Aspects Of Physical Activity And Fitness In Special-Population, Minority Middle School Children, Jeffrey J. Martin, Nate Mccaughtry, Anne S. Murphy, Sara Flory, Kimberlydawn Wisdom

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

Special-population research predicting physical activity (PA) and fitness with minority middle school children from at-risk environments is rare. Hence, the purpose of our investigation was to evaluate the ability of important social cognitive and environment-based measures to predict PA and fitness with children with developmental delay, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Children (N = 89, ages 11-15) completed questionnaires assessing social cognitive and environment-based constructs, self report PA, and completed fitness testing. Correlational results supported some hypotheses. The descriptive and correlational results also indicated commonalities with similar research on non special-population minority middle school children from at-risk environments.

A Supermatrix Analysis Of Genomic, Morphological, And Paleontological Data From Crown Cetacea, Jonathan H. Geisler, Michael R. Mcgowen, Guang Yang, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Cetacea (dolphins, porpoises, and whales) is a clade of aquatic species that includes the most massive, deepest diving, and largest brained mammals. Understanding the temporal pattern of diversification in the group as well as the evolution of cetacean anatomy and behavior requires a robust and well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis. Although a large body of molecular data has accumulated over the past 20 years, DNA sequences of cetaceans have not been directly integrated with the rich, cetacean fossil record to reconcile discrepancies among molecular and morphological characters.

Results

We combined new nuclear DNA sequences, including segments of six genes (~2800 …

Phylogeny And Adaptive Evolution Of The Brain-Development Gene Microcephalin (Mcph1) In Cetaceans, Michael R. Mcgowen, Stephen H. Montgomery, Clay Clark, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Representatives of Cetacea have the greatest absolute brain size among animals, and the largest relative brain size aside from humans. Despite this, genes implicated in the evolution of large brain size in primates have yet to be surveyed in cetaceans.

Results

We sequenced ~1240 basepairs of the brain development gene microcephalin (MCPH1) in 38 cetacean species. Alignments of these data and a published complete sequence from Tursiops truncatus with primate MCPH1 were utilized in phylogenetic analyses and to estimate ω (rate of nonsynonymous substitution/rate of synonymous substitution) using site and branch models of molecular evolution. We also tested …

The Pax Gene Eyegone Facilitates Repression Of Eye Development In Tribolium, Nazanin Zarinkamar, Xiaoyun Yang, Riyue Bao, Frank Friedrich, Rolf Beutel, Markus Friedrich

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

The Pax transcription factor gene eyegone (eyg) participates in many developmental processes in Drosophila, including the Notch signaling activated postembryonic growth of the eye primordium, global development of the adult head and the development of the antenna. In contrast to other Pax genes, the functional conservation of eyg in species other than Drosophila has not yet been explored.

Results

We investigated the role of eyg during the postembryonic development of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Our results indicate conserved roles in antennal but not in eye development. Besides segmentation defects in the antenna, Tribolium eyg knockdown animals …

Cytogenetic Analysis Of An Exposed-Referent Study: Perchloroethylene-Exposed Dry Cleaners Compared To Unexposed Laundry Workers, James D. Tucker, Karen J. Sorensen, Avima M. Ruder, Lauralynn Mckernan, Christy L. Forrester, Mary Butler

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Significant numbers of people are exposed to tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE) every year, including workers in the dry cleaning industry. Adverse health effects have been associated with PCE exposure. However, investigations of possible cumulative cytogenetic damage resulting from PCE exposure are lacking.

Methods

Eighteen dry cleaning workers and 18 laundry workers (unexposed controls) provided a peripheral blood sample for cytogenetic analysis by whole chromosome painting. Pre-shift exhaled air on these same participants was collected and analyzed for PCE levels. The laundry workers were matched to the dry cleaners on race, age, and smoking status. The relationships between levels of …

The Impact Of Folate Deficiency On The Base Excision Repair Pathway: Analysis Of Enzyme Coordination In Response To Dna Damage And Imbalanced Repair, Amanda Pilling

Wayne State University Dissertations

The condition of folate deficiency has been implicated in carcinogenesis, with the strongest evidence formulated in colon cancer. The role of folate in DNA repair, DNA synthesis and methylation reactions renders this nutrient an valuable target for studying the onset and progression of cancer. Using molecular techniques to determine gene and protein expression, enzyme activity and methylation status elucidates the mechanism of DNA repair and damage in folic acid deficient animals in response to carcinogen. The findings presented in this study indicate failure to remove and repair damage in the condition of folate deficiency and suggest that the accumulation of …

Estrogen Sulfotransferase (Sult1e1) Expression And Function In Mcf10a-Series Breast Epithelial Cells: Role As A Modifier Of Breast Carcinogenesis And Regulation By Proliferation State, Jiaqi Fu

Wayne State University Dissertations

Estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) catalyzes the sulfonation of estrogens, which limits estrogen mitogenicity. TaqMan Gene Expression assays were used to profile the mRNA expression of estrogen receptor (ERα and ERβ) and estrogen metabolism enzymes including cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULT1E1, SULT1A1, SULT2A1, and SULT2B1), steroid sulfatase (STS), aromatase (CYP19), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17βHSD1 and 2), CYP1B1, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in an MCF10A-derived lineage cell culture model for basal-like human breast cancer progression and in ERα-positive luminal MCF7 breast cancer cells. Low levels of ERα and ERβ mRNA were present in MCF10A-derived cell lines. SULT1E1 mRNA was more abundant in confluent relative to subconfluent MCF10A …

Hedgehog Signaling: A Potential Therapeutic Target For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ma'in Yehya Maitah

Wayne State University Dissertations

The American Cancer Society estimated that 222,520 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer and 157,300 died of lung cancer in 2010 (Jemal et al. 2009, 225-249;Jemal et al. 2011, 69-90). The clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the major lung cancer sub-types, is very poor, which calls for innovative research for finding novel therapeutic targets and agents for better treatment outcome.

Emerging evidences have suggested that a phenomenon called Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which shares similar molecular characteristics with cancer stem-like cells, contributes to lung cancer treatment failure. In view of the fact that EMT process …

Mechanisms Of Translation Arrest Following Focal Brain Ischemia, Monique K. Lewis

Wayne State University Dissertations

MECHANISMS OF TRANSLATION ARREST FOLLOWING FOCAL BRAIN

ISCHEMIA

by

MONIQUE K. LEWIS

August 2011

Advisor: Dr. Donald DeGracia

Major: Physiology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The loss of blood flow to the brain is termed ischemia and the subsequent resumption of blood flow is termed reperfusion. Brain ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) occurs primarily following resuscitation from cardiac arrest and stroke and presents one of the most significant clinical challenges. At present, there are no clinically effective pharmacologic interventions to halt brain damage following I/R. The major Aim of this dissertation will be to investigate possible mechanisms involved in neuron death following …

The Potential Role Of Innate Immunity In The Pathogenesis Of Post-Operative Adhesions, Jennell White

Wayne State University Dissertations

Post-operative adhesion development occurs in the vast majority of patients following abdominal surgery and is a natural occurrence of peritoneal-wound healing. These fibrous bands may form within the first 5-7 days post-surgery and have the ability to cause a distortion in the normal anatomical positioning of abdominal organs. Consequently, adhesions are major contributors to small bowel obstruction, infertility, and severe pelvic and abdominal pain. Physiological processes responsible for adhesion formation remain obscure though it is believed to involve cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of several cell types including mesothelial cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory and immune cells. Substances released from these …

Human Trophoblast Survival And Invasion In The Developing Placenta: Autocrine Regulation By Hbegf, Philip Jessmon

Wayne State University Dissertations

HBEGF is a multifunctional protein in early pregnancy that induces cytotrophoblast (CTB) cell differentiation to an invasive phenotype, protects against apoptosis, and is involved in an autocrine signaling mechanism that leads to its own protein synthesis. CTBs exist in a low O₂ environment during the first 10 weeks of implantation, during which they invade the decidualized uterine stroma. Inhibitors of intracellular signaling pathways demonstrated that at 20% O₂ HBEGF induces an increase in cell migration through the ERK, MAPK14, JNK, or PIK3 pathways downstream of signaling through its ERBB receptors. Also downstream of these four pathways, HBEGF induces …

Effect Of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase In The Development Of Salt Sensitivity, Samar Abdulla Nasser

Wayne State University Dissertations

Salt sensitivity is associated with a rise in blood pressure (BP) occurring during sodium loading and/or a fall in BP during sodium restriction that exceeds random fluctuations in BP. Salt sensitivity is more common in African American than Caucasian hypertensives and is also present, in normotensive African Americans. The mechanism or mechanisms resulting in salt-sensitive hypertension are multiple and include both activation of the renin angiotensin system via increases in angiotensin II and reductions in the endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). An important means of NO downregulation is through asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NO inhibitor, which is largely metabolized …

The Role Of The Sparc Acidic Domain And Egf-Like Module In Glioma Migration, Invasion, And Signaling, Heather M. Mcclung

Wayne State University Dissertations

THE ROLE OF THE SPARC ACIDIC DOMAIN AND EGF-LIKE MODULE IN GLIOMA MIGRATION, INVASION, AND SIGNALING

HEATHER M. MCCLUNG

Advisor: Sandra A. Rempel, Ph.D.

Major: Pharmacology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

We have previously shown that Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) is upregulated in all astrocytoma grades and increases tumor cell migration and invasion. It is thought that different domains within the protein may regulate SPARC functions, suggesting domain-specific targeting to inhibit invasion. To enhance our understanding of SPARC-mediated invasion, we first confirm, at the protein level, our previous cDNA array results, that SPARC increases expression of the …

Frazzled And Abelson Interact To Regulate The Actin Cytoskeleton In Drosophila, Bridget Elsa Varughese

Wayne State University Dissertations

Guidance receptors such as Frazzled affect cell shape and motility by directly or indirectly modulating the cytoskeleton. Fra is particularly needed for the formation of the posterior commissures in a developing Drosophila embryo. The cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, Abelson Kinase (Abl) enhances the loss of commissures observed in fra mutant. Abl physically interacts with Frazzled to help guide commissural axons across the midline. Furthermore, the loss of commissural axons is only seen when the actin dynamics are perturbed. Abl is also known to regulate actin-dependent processes underlying formation of filopodia, microspikes and membrane ruffles. So, we established a Drosophila S2 cell …