Life Sciences Commons^™

Gross And Histological Features Of A Myofascial Trigger Point In The Upper Trapezius, Kathryn E. Levee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to precisely locate, in living humans, a myofascial trigger point associated with the upper portion of the trapezius muscle (TrP1) that refers pain to the head and neck and to determine if this point is associated with anatomical structures. This study is descriptive and utilizes data from measurements of the location of TrP1 in relation to anatomical landmarks, of pressure sensitivity overlying the trigger point and electromyography recordings in localizing the trigger point. Information obtained from living humans was used to determine anatomical correlation to structures in cadavers. Results indicated there is little variability …

Aberrant Communication And Protein Kinase C In Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Joyce P. Lazarus

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Autoimmune diseases are a worldwide healthcare concern. Research has focused mainly on the role of the immune system and genetic susceptibility to autoimmune disease. However, this study investigates altered target tissue properties and their contributions to the pathogenesis of induced autoimmune thyroiditis in Lewis rats. Our hypothesis was; inflammation-induced lymphocytic infiltration and subsequent fibrosis results in physical disruption of gap junctional communication in the target tissue contributing to the disease process. Our study of intercellular communication in experimentally-induced autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) in Lewis rats revealed a deficiency in connexin expression, connexin assembly and dye transfer [(results corroborated in murine model …

Helminths Of The Southwestern Toad, Bufo Microscaphus, Woodhouse's Toad, Bufo Woodhousii (Bufonidae), And Their Hybrids From Central Arizona, Stephen R. Goldberg, Charles R. Bursey, Keith B. Malmos, Brian K. Sullivan, Hay Cheam

Great Basin Naturalist

The gastrointestinal tracts, lungs, and urinary bladders from 77 Bufo microscaphus, 61 Bufo woodhousii, and 8 of their hybrids were examined for helminths. One species of trematode (Glypthelmins quieta), 1 species of cestode (Distoichometra bufonis), and 5 species of nematodes (Aplectana incerta, A. itzocanensis, Rhabdias americanus, Physaloptera sp., and Physocephalus sp.) were found. The greatest prevalence (41%) and mean intensity (231.7) were recorded for Aplectana incerta in Bufo woodhousii. It appears hybrids harbor fewer parasites than either parent species.

Circadian Clock-Controlled Genes Isolated From Neurospora Crassa Are Late Night- To Early Morning-Specific, Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Mari L. Shinohara, Jennifer J. Loros, Jay C. Dunlap

Dartmouth Scholarship

An endogenous circadian biological clock controls the temporal aspects of life in most organisms, including rhythmic control of genes involved in clock output pathways. In the fungus Neurospora crassa, one pathway known to be under control of the clock is asexual spore (conidia) development. To understand more fully the processes that are regulated by the N. crassa circadian clock, systematic screens were carried out for genes that oscillate at the transcriptional level. Time-of-day-specific cDNA libraries were generated and used in differential screens to identify six new clock-controlled genes (ccgs). Transcripts specific for each of the ccgs …

The Effects Of Lowering Cholesterol On Vasodilation, Maria Christi Hardt

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Endothelial dysfunction has been found prior to any signs of atherosclerotic plaque formation in patients with a variety of risk factors for atherosclerosis. Elevated serum cholesterol has repeatedly been associated with endothelial dysfunction as demonstrated by impaired vasoreactivity to vasodilating stimuli.

The aim of this research was to determine whether short term lowering of serum cholesterol levels by life style changes or by cholesterol lowering medication could reverse or reduce the endothelial dysfunction. The brachial artery diameter was measured by high-resolution ultrasound at rest and during reactive hyperemia pre and postintervention. Fifty-three subjects with cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl were …

Inhibitory Effects Of Isothiocyanates On The Mutagenicity And Metabolism Of Environmental Carcinogens, Solomon M. Hamilton

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The inhibitory effects of the two naturally occuning isothiocyanates, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on the metabolism and mutagenicity of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-lbutanone (NNK) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by F344 rat and male Syrian golden hamster liver microsomes were investigated. In addition, the alkyl chain-length effects of BITC and PEITC, together with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) and phenylpropyl isothiocyanate (PPITC) on the metabolism and mutagenicity of NNK, and on the metabolism of testosterone were determined. Further, the effects of all four homologues of isothiocyanates on the mutagenicity of five heterocyclic amines (HCAs) IQ, MelQx, Trp-P-2, Glu-P-2 and PhIP and on the dealkylation …

Myocardial Contractility In Fetal Sheep Exposed To Long-Term Hypoxia At High Altitude : Activator Calcium And Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Function, Vaughn A. Browne

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

We studied myocardial contractility in fetal sheep exposed to ~112 days of hypoxia at high-altitude (3,820 m). We recorded left and right ventricular wet weight, and measured the inotropic responses to extracellular calcium [Ca²⁺]_o (0.2-10 mM), ryanodine (10^-10-10^-4 M), isoproterenol (10^-10-10^-6 M), and forskolin (0.01-10 uM) in isometrically contracting papillary muscles. In addition, we quantified dihydropyridine (DHPR), ryanodine (RyR), and β-adrenergic receptor densities, and measured basal and stimulated intracellular cAMP levels. In hypoxic fetuses, left ventricular wet weight was unchanged, but right ventricular weight was ~20% lower than controls. Curves describing …

Effects Of Octopamine Agonists And Antagonists On Corpus Allatum Syntesis Of Juvenile Hormone In The House Cricket, Acheta Domesticus, Jared James Patterson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Ultrasound Three- Dimensional Velocity Measurements By Feature Tracking, Gregory R. Bashford, Olaf T. Von Ramm

Biomedical Imaging and Biosignal Analysis Laboratory

This article describes a new angle-independent method suitable for three-dimensional (3-D) blood flow velocity measurement that tracks features of the ultrasonic speckle produced by a pulse echo system. In this method, a feature is identified and followed over time to detect motion. Other blood flow velocity measurement methods typically estimate velocity using one- (1-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) spatial and time information. Speckle decorrelation due to motion in the elevation dimension may hinder this estimate of the true 3-D blood flow velocity vector. Feature tracking is a 3-D method with the ability to measure the true blood velocity vector rather than …

Effects Of Douglas-Fir Foliage Age Class On Western Spruce Budworm Oviposition Choice And Larval Performance, Kimberly A. Dodds, Karen M. Clancy, Kathryn J. Leyva, David Greenberg, Peter W. Price

Great Basin Naturalist

The western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman) prefers to feed on flushing buds and current-year needles of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco). Budworm larvae will not typically consume older age classes of needles unless all current-year foliage is depleted. We tested the following null hypotheses: (1) budworm larvae can feed on foliage with a wide range of qualities (i.e., current 1-, 2-, or 3-year-old needles) without measurable effects on fitness; and (2) budworm adults do not show any oviposition preference linked to the age of the foliage they fed on as larvae. We used both laboratory and field …

Selecting Wilderness Areas To Conserve Utah's Biological Diversity, Diane W. Davidson, William D. Newmark, Jack W. Sites Jr., Dennis K. Shiozawa, Eric A. Rickart, Kimball T. Harper, Robert B. Keiter

Great Basin Naturalist

Congress is currently evaluating the wilderness status of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in Utah. Wilderness areas play many important roles, and one critical role is the conservation of biological diversity. We propose that objectives for conserving biodiversity on BLM lands in Utah be to (1) ensure the long-term population viability of native animal and plant species, (2) maintain the critical ecological and evolutionary processes upon which these species depend, and (3) preserve the full range of communities, successional stages, and environmental gradients. To achieve these objectives, wilderness areas should be selected so as to protect large, contiguous …

Oochoristica Scelopori (Cestoda: Linstowiidae) In A Grassland Population Of The Bunch Grass Lizard, Sceloporus Scalaris (Phrynosomatidae), From Arizona, Stephen R. Goldberg, Charles R. Bursey, Chris T. Mcallister, Hobart M. Smith, Quynh A. Truong

Great Basin Naturalist

No abstract provided.

The Assessment Of Osteoinductivity Of Human Allograft Demineralized Bone Matrix By In Vivo And In Vitro Assay Models, Min Zhang

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The osteoinductive potential (osteoinductivity) is a very important aspect of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a biomaterial. This study is directed at establishing qualitative and quantitative assays of the osteoinductivity of human DBM. Further aspects of this study include an assessment of the effects of the production process, matrix characterization, and donor related factors on osteoinductivity of the DBM.

Athymic mice were chosen as the animal model for use in the in vivo bioassay. Implantation of DBM in muscle pouches provided for much higher osteoinductivity (remineralization to 10% calcium) than subcutaneous site implantation (remineralization to 1.6% calcium). Histological observations revealed …

Regulation Of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Atpase (Serca2) Gene Expression In Left Ventricular Hypertrophy And Heart Failure, Ming Qi

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Variation In Alanine Transport Among Sibling Lecithotrophic Larvae Of Holothuroid And Asteroid Echinoderms, William Jaeckle

Scholarship

Variation in development rate (e.g., time to metamorphic competence) among sibling larvae has been reported, but inter-individual differences in physiological processes has received comparatively little attention.

Variation In Alanine Transport Among Sibling Lecithotrophic Larvae Of Holothuroid And Asteroid Echinoderms, William Jaeckle

William Jaeckle

Variation in development rate (e.g., time to metamorphic competence) among sibling larvae has been reported, but inter-individual differences in physiological processes has received comparatively little attention.

The Effect Of Aging On Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Ben E. Reinking

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Muscle atrophy and decreased strength are an accepted part of aging. While physical inactivity may account for some of these losses, physically active individuals still experience age related reduction in muscle mass and strength. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects that aging has on skeletal muscle regeneration. It is hypothesized that the recovery of muscle mass and force following muscular injury will decrease with age. The anesthetic bupivacaine, a potent myotoxic agent, was injected into the left tibialis anterior (TA) of young, adult, and senescent rats (3, 18, 31 months). The right leg served as an …

The Potential For Ontogenetic Vertical Migration By Larvae Of Bathyal Echinoderms, William Jaeckle, Craig M. Young, Michael G. Devin, Suki U.K. Ekaratne, Sophie B. George

Scholarship

Planktotrophy is a relatively common developmental mode among bathyal and abyssal echinoderms, but the sources of food used by deep-sea planktotrophic larvae remain generally unknown. Very few deep-sea echinoderm larvae have been collected in plankton samples, so we do not know whether larvae migrate to the euphotic zone to feed or if they rely on bacteria or detritus at greater depths. We approached this question indirectly by investigating whether larvae of bathyal echinoids can tolerate the temperatures they would encounter in the euphotic zone and whether they possess sufficient energy stores to migrate to the euphotic zone without feeding. Twenty-four …

The Effects Of Conditioning And Gender On Ratings Of Perceived Exertion During Physical Exercise, Dr. Roberta A. Pellant

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if gender played a factor in perception during physical exertion, and whether those perceptions were influenced by conditioning level. Sixteen male and sixteen female volunteer subjects, ranging in age from 21 to 35, constituted the sample for this study. The Bruce protocol for a Symptom­-Limited Graded Exercise test was the instrument utilized to evaluate heart rate during the maximal physical exercise program. A ventilatory analyzer measured each subject's maximal oxygen consumption. Borg's Rated Perceived Exertion Scale was employed for subjective evaluation of an individual's perception of effort. The t-test compared mean scores …

Altered Expression Of A Glutathione S-Transferase Isoform In Creosote-Resistant Mummichog, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Susan Lovejoy Armknecht

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Environmental Ph And Bicarbonate Concentration On The Excretion Of Nitrogenous Waste Products In Two Species Of Freshwater Teleost, Paul D. Fabsits

Masters Theses

The catabolism of amino acids derived from dietary protein results in the production of ammonia and bicarbonate ion, waste products that an animal must eliminate. Often, animals excrete a nitrogenous waste product that is correlated with water availability: Freshwater fish, living where water is abundant, usually excrete ammonia while terrestrial animals excrete urea or uric acid. Recent studies report that fish inhabiting alkaline waters (pH 10) characterized by high bicarbonate concentrations do not excrete ammonia, instead synthesize urea, an energetically expensive process. The conversion to urea excretion by a normally ammonotelic animal is likely to be stimulated by a specific …

Food-Limited Growth And Condition Index In The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica (Gmelin, 1791), And The Bay Scallop, Argopecten Irradians Irradians (Lamarck, 1819), Michael A. Rice, Robert B. Rheault Jr.

Michael A Rice

The growth response of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, to varying degrees of food limitation was evaluated. Under conditions of low current speed, dense assemblages of shellfish can rapidly deplete ambient food concentrations, resulting in measurable effects on growth and condition index. A flume study demonstrated significant growth and condition index responses to resource competition after reductions as small as 27% in relatively high ambient food concentrations (—4.6 u.g/1 chlorophyll). Growth rates and condition index are linearly correlated with the average chlorophyll ration consumed. A field study demonstrated similar growth responses when the …

The Potential For Ontogenetic Vertical Migration By Larvae Of Bathyal Echinoderms, William Jaeckle, Craig M. Young, Michael G. Devin, Suki U.K. Ekaratne, Sophie B. George

William Jaeckle

Planktotrophy is a relatively common developmental mode among bathyal and abyssal echinoderms, but the sources of food used by deep-sea planktotrophic larvae remain generally unknown. Very few deep-sea echinoderm larvae have been collected in plankton samples, so we do not know whether larvae migrate to the euphotic zone to feed or if they rely on bacteria or detritus at greater depths. We approached this question indirectly by investigating whether larvae of bathyal echinoids can tolerate the temperatures they would encounter in the euphotic zone and whether they possess sufficient energy stores to migrate to the euphotic zone without feeding. Twenty-four …