Physiology Commons^™

Factors That Influence Small Mammal Long Bone Morphology: An Analysis Of The Femora, Tibiae, And Humeri Of The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), Tyler Everette Blake

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The goal of this study is to examine the effect of urbanization and latitude on bone morphology, specifically limb length and bone density among gray squirrels endemic to the eastern United States. This study’s hypotheses are as follows: gray squirrels occupying lower latitudes will have larger body sizes and longer limbs relative to body size than those at higher latitudes following Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules. Further, squirrels in urban habitats will have greater bone density than those in rural habitats. Results show moderate correlation between body mass and respective proxies and latitude following Bergmann’s rule. Weak correlations were found between …

Examining The Effects Of Exercise-Induced, Physical Stress Overtraining On Stress Biomarkers In Adolescent, C57bl/6 Mice, Curtis Scotty Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Exercise has long been established as a therapeutic modality to improve health and related physical fitness, sports performance, and injury/risk reduction in both adults and adolescents (Haff & Triplett, 2015; Kaminsky, 2010). Nonetheless, there is a lack of research investigating the negative effects of exercise overstress (i.e., overtraining syndrome) in these populations, particularly adolescents (Brenner & American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2007; Matos & Winsley, 2007). The objective of this study was to examine hormone biochemical markers, anthropometric markers, and behavioral traits, which are associated with overtraining syndrome, in adolescent C57BL/6 mice. A total of …

The Effects Of Concussion On Quantity Of Sleep And Quality Of Sleep, Taren Asheton Bone

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study observed how a concussion's effects change the quantity and quality of sleep in collegiate athletes. There is a lack of research pertaining to this topic, explicitly involving collegiate athletes and the changes in sleep outcomes during concussion recovery from a concussion. The study design is a convenient cohort in the field involving athletes from two local universities. Participants wore a Readiband™ device for seven to ten days or throughout their concussion recovery. There were differences in total minutes in bed and calculated minutes in bed between concussed and non-concussed participants. This study indicates that concussion affects the quantity …

Role Of Na/K-Atpase Non-Enzymatic Signaling In Renal Proximal Tubule Sodium Transport, Shreya Tapan Mukherji

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The renal proximal tubule (RPT) is the center stage for renal handling of Na+ , a potent determinant of systemic Na+ and volume homeostasis in health and disease. In the RPT, through its classic ion-pumping function, Na + /K+ -ATPase (NKA) generates the Na+ gradient that drives apical Na+ absorption, mostly through Na+ /H+ exchanger (NHE3). In contrast, pharmacological evidence suggests that the activation of the NKA non-enzymatic signaling function, through Src and other signaling partners, triggers a cellular redistribution of NKA and NHE3 that decreases transcellular Na+ flux in cultured RPT cells. However, the physiological relevance of the nonenzymatic …

Targeted Limb Heating Augments The Actions Of Igf1 In The Growth Plate And Increases Bone Elongation In Growing Mice, Holly Lyn Racine

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Bone elongation disorders can lead to painful musculoskeletal disabilities in adulthood. Existing treatment options to correct left-right asymmetry in limb length include invasive surgeries and/or drug regimens. These are often only partially effective. Previous studies in weanling mice have shown that a daily application of mild heat (40°C) to limbs on one side of the body could be used to noninvasively enhance bone elongation. However, the impact of heat-treatment on bone at the cellular level remains elusive. The epiphyseal growth plate, the band of cartilage located at each end of long bones, is the main site of longitudinal growth and …

The Role Of Oxidation-Sensitive Nociception And Epigenetics In Endometriosis-Associated Pain, Kristeena Ray Wright

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease that is associated with severe symptoms and consequences such as total hysterectomy. Upwards of 10% of women of reproductive age have endometriosis, most of whom are afflicted with chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility. Despite many treatment options available to endometriosis patients, there is no cure for this condition and recurrence of symptoms is extremely common. In CHAPTER 1, we describe the mechanisms involved in endometriotic pain and the currently available treatment strategies. Our laboratory has provided evidence for the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of endometriosis and its associated pain. In this dissertation …

Altered Regulation Of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases And Glut4 Expression In Skeletal Muscle, Liver, Heart And Kidney Of Obese Zucker Rat, Sudarsanam Kundla

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. The molecular mechanism(s) underlying this alteration in skeletal muscle, liver, kidneys and heart in metabolic syndrome patients are presently unclear. Recent data have demonstrated that the p38and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK 1/2) - mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins may be involved in the regulation of (Glucose transporter type 4) GLUT4 expression levels. Other data have suggested that miRNA may also play a role. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the tissue content, phosphorylation of protein kinases (AKT), p38, c-JUN Nterminal kinase(JNK), ERK1/2, GLUT4 and transcriptional factor Myocyte enhancer factor-2 …

Aging Affects Stretch-Induced P70s6k And 4e-Bp1 Phosphorylation In Fast- And Slow-Twitch Muscle, Sreevani Uddemarri

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the present investigation we compare the expression, basal activation and the ability of muscle stretch to activate the p70^S6k pathway in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow-twitch soleus of adult (6 mo. old), aged (30 mo. old) and very aged (36 mo. old) Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats. Immunoblotting demonstrated that the tissue content of mTOR, p70^S6k, 4E-BP1 and GSK-3β decreased in the EDL and soleus in aged rats, while SHP-2 increased in the EDL and decreased in the soleus when compared to adult rats. Basal phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 increased in both the …

The Acquisition And Quantitative Analysis Of Digitally Generated Fourier Transforms Resulting From The Physiognomy Of Various Tree And Shrub Species, Alicia Eldridge-Spears

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

An optical Fourier transform represents the interference of wavefronts produced as light passes through multiple slits. Theoretically, any image containing periodic structure causes diffraction. The cellular arrangement of a plant leaf and the regularity in venation are ideal conditions for diffracting light. As light passes through columns of cells, its path is altered according to the distance and orientation present.

A photograph or slide of a leaf or the leaf itself may be used to produce a diffraction pattern by either optical or digital means. Optically, a laser beam directed through a slide is refracted by a converging lens and …