Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intercellular Communication Via Gap Junctions Influences Cell Survival During Hypoxia, Lauren E. Harmon, David L. Geenen

Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts

Stem cell therapy can be beneficial following myocardial infarction. However, when murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mBM-MSCs) are injected into the ischemic area, a large percentage of these cells undergo apoptosis resulting in decreased therapeutic benefits. We hypothesize that the loss of these mBM-MSCs is regulated by intercellular channels or gap junctions (GJs) that provide apoptotic signals passed between ischemic cardiomyocytes and mBM-MSCs. Our research aims to attenuate these GJs by suppressing Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression, the predominant channel-forming protein. We will accomplish this by transiently transfecting a Cx43 siRNA into mBM-MSCs. Our data demonstrate that intracellular fluorescent dyes and …

Comparative Anatomical Study Of The Brachial Plexus Of Primates, Alison Leann Camero

Masters Theses

Old world monkeys, new world monkeys, and humans all originate from a common ancestor. Although humans and old world monkeys are phylogenetically more closely related, old world monkeys and new world monkeys have similar locomotion. A difference in muscle patterns exists between old world monkeys, new world monkeys, and humans. Different musculature may be due to differences in locomotive patterns and species-specific use of their forearms. Muscles in the forelimbs are innervated by the nerves of the brachial plexus. There are differences among the brachial plexuses of human and non-human primates as well as variability within the species.

In this …

Blood Flow Restriction And Various Intensity Exercise In The Upper Extremity, Noelle Ashlyn Kaminski, Andrew Lowe

Masters Theses

Purpose: To determine if using Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) combined with low-load exercise can elicit an increase in strength and tendon size of the distal biceps tendon when compared to high-load exercise protocol. Methods: Twenty-one participants (11 M, 10 F; 2 Left-handed: 19 Right-handed; Age range 18-25yoa) were randomized to either the treatment group (BFR + low load exercise) or the control group (high load exercise). Participants were enrolled in a 7-week exercise protocol, with exercise sessions held twice weekly. The first week included measurements of each participant's 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and ultrasound measurements of the dominant distal bicep’s …