Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Retinal Regeneration In A Genetic Mouse Model Of Glaucoma, Joshua Paris

Masters Theses

Glaucoma is a degenerative retinal disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Previous studies have shown that application of a specific α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, PNU-282987 (PNU), onto the murine retina induces neurogenesis of numerous retinal cell types, including RGCs. The aim of this study is to characterize the short-term and long-term effects of PNU in a glaucoma model. The effects of PNU were analyzed in a DBA/2J mouse model that auto-induces a glaucoma-like condition in adulthood. These mice manifest an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) starting at 6 months, followed by loss of RGCs. To assess …

Relationship Between One Repetition Maximum Parallel Squat And Jump Squat Peak Power, Corey Klitzke

Masters Theses

Jump squats are a simple exercise that can be used to train lower body power. Unlike many other methods of power training, jump squats do not require any specialized equipment (platforms, bumper plates, etc.). Jump squats can be used when other forms of power training are not available or are not allowed. In order to most efficiently train power, the intensity must balance force and velocity. The purpose of this study was to find the intensity that yields the peak power output of a jump squat. 12 participants (9 males, 3 female) participated in the study. Each participant completed a …

Evolutionary Convergence Of The Caffeine Biosynthetic Pathway In Chocolate Followed Duplication Of A Constrained Ancestral Enzyme, Andrew J. O'Donnell

Masters Theses

Caffeine biosynthesis is widely distributed in flowering plants and requires three consecutive methylation steps of xanthine alkaloids. Genes that have previously been reported to participate in the multi-step pathway in Coffea sp. (coffee) and Camellia sinensis (tea) encode members of the SABATH family of methyltransferases. Two genes highly expressed in fruits of Theobroma cacao (cacao) are orthologous to the caffeine genes in tea and appear to have diversified following gene duplication. Biochemical characterization of the enzymes (XMTs) encoded by these genes strongly suggest an unprecedented major pathway to theobromine, a precursor to caffeine. These findings imply that caffeine biosynthesis evolved …

Vaccinia Virus Flll Mediated Expedition Of Tanapoxvirus Replication In Cell Culture, Yih Wen Goh

Masters Theses

Tanapoxvirus (TPV) produces large but slow-forming plaques as opposed to vaccinia virus (VACV) that forms similar large plaques but more rapidly. A number of genes were identified in VACV, inclucding FllL, A33R, A34R and A36R that contribute to the regulation of virus release and dissemination, and are particularly responsible for the induction of actin tails. Among them, TPV lacks homologs of the FllL and A36R genes. F11Lmediated inhibition of RhoA-mDia signaling was shown to enhance the microtubules dynamics and modulates the cortical actin that assisted in the release of progeny virus from infected cells. To understand the possible effects of …

The Effects Of A Moisture-Wicking Fabric Shirt On The Physiological Responses During Acute Exercise In The Heat, Kimberly Wigboldy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects that a form fitted, moisture-wicking fabric shirt, promoted to have improved evaporative and ventilation properties, has on the thermoregulatory, physiological and perceptual response during moderate intensity exercise in the heat for an extended duration of exercise of 90 minutes. Ten healthy subjects (7 males, 3 females), completed two heat stress tests consisting of 20 minute seated rest in a neutral environment (24°C, 60% RH), 30 minute seated rest in a hot environment (33°C, 60% RH), and 90 minutes of exercise(50% V0_{2 peak}) on a magnetically-braked cycle ergometerin a …

Use Of A Specific Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Can Prevent Loss Of Retinal Ganglion Cells In An In Vivo Rat Glaucoma Model, David Mata

Masters Theses

Acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through activation of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). In this study, the neuroprotective effects of the α7 nAChR agonist, PNU-282987, were investigated using an in vivo model of glaucoma in adult Long Evans rats. Hypertonic saline injections were used to induce a glaucoma model. After one month, retinas were removed, flat mounted, fixed and labeled with an antibody against Thy 1.1 to label RGCs and fluorescently tagged for visualization. Eye drop application of PNU-282987 resulted in neuroprotection against RGC loss in …

Expression Of The Chemokine Receptor, Cxcr4, And Its Ligand, Sdf-1, Are Increased In Purkinje Cells Of The Multiple System Atrophy Cerebellum, Megan Welter

Masters Theses

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a sporadic, neurodegenerative disease that consists of three conditions: autonomic dysfunction, Parkinsonism and cerebellar ataxia. Our lab conducted an Affymetrix global gene expression analysis using pons tissue of MSA patients to determine genes that are differentially expressed when compared to non- MSA controls. This study identified upregulated genes, including the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, CXCR4, to which stromal cell-derived factor-I (SDF-1) is the natural ligand. The CXCR4/SDF-1 signaling pair has been sho.wn to play multiple roles in the brain, such as inducing neuronal apoptosis and promoting leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. The MSA cerebellum presents …

The Effects Of Differing Bicycle Frame Geometry On Muscle Recruitment Strategies And Power During A 30-Second Wingate Anaerobic Test, Patrick Hills-Meyer

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to test how changing the bicycle frame geometry; from a shallow frame geometry [seat tube angle (STA) of 72°] to a steep frame geometry (STA of 82°) affected the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the hamstrings [biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles] and the quadriceps [vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL)] and power (max, mean, min, and, % drop) during a Wingate anaerobic test (WAT). To measure the muscle recruitment and power, 12 experienced triathletes were prepped with surface electrodes to measure EMG amplitude and an electrogoniometer to measure knee joint angle while …

A Kinematic And Kinetic Analysis Of First, Fourth, And Fifth Positions In The Classical Ballet Method, Mary Sue Hill

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to compare electromyography (EMG) responses, ground reaction forces, and torques on female college-age dancers' knees in selected positions. Subjects were 18 female dancers, aged 18 to 30 years, with 6 subjects from each of three levels: Ballet Technique I, II, and III. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were analyzed in a grande plie in three positions, (1) first, (2) fourth, and (3) fifth, with two phases: (1) eccentric, and (2) concentric. No differences in force or EMG data were found for the concentric phases of the three positions. Significant differences were …

Identification And Characterization Of Possible Multiple Binding Sites For ((3)H)8-Oh-Dpat In The Hippocampus, Dawna Lea Evans

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The R Value At Vo2 Max During Maximal Graded Exercise Treadmill Tests Of Coronary Artery Diseased And Nondiseased Subjects, Sherry S. Williams

Masters Theses

This study examined the R value at VO2 max during maximal graded treadmill exercise tests to determine if it was a reliable indicator of VO2 max and could therefore be used as a test termination criterion. The subjects in this study were 160 coronary artery diseased (CAD) patients and 170 nondiseased individuals. Data were collected from existing stress test records. The R value was also analyzed to determine if proportions of diseased and nondiseased subjects were the same. The time it took 100 CAD patients to reach VO2 max and exhaustion once R rose above 1.00 was also examined.

The …

Fixed-Ratio Size As A Determinant Of The Development Of Tolerance To Morphine, Mark J. Nickel

Masters Theses

The acute and chronic effects of morphine were examined in pigeons exposed to a multiple schedule with fixed ratio 5, 25, and 125 components. Acute exposure to morphine (0.56-10.0 mg/kg) resulted in rate reductions under each component when the dose was 1 mg/kg or higher. With chronic exposure to 5.6 mg/kg, tolerance to the rate-reducing effects of morphine was evident under each fixed ratio component. The development of tolerance was determined to some extent by fixed-ratio size, a result similar to earlier findings with cocaine.

Total Blood Cholesterol, Blood Triglyceride, And Blood Hdl Correlation, Rebecca Lynn Babler

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between total blood cholesterol levels, blood triglyceride levels, and blood HDL levels in men and women 20 to 80 years of age. All subjects fasted for 12 hours prior to having their blood drawn.

The computer program SPSSX (SPSSX, Inc., 1988) was used along with subprograms CONDESCRIPTIVE, CORRELATION, and ANOVA. Pearson Product Moment Correlations were calculated for all subjects, for male subjects, and for female subjects.

The study revealed a low correlation coefficient between blood cholesterol levels and blood triglyceride levels for all subjects, female subjects and male subjects. There …

Acute Effects Of Phenytoin And Thioridazine, Alone And Combination, Upon Water Intake And Body Weight Changes In Rats, Miriana Witzig-Krstic

Masters Theses

Concommitant medication of anticonvulsants and psychotropics appears to be predominant among mentally retarded, geriatric, and psychiatric in- and out-patient populations. Despite suggested interaction and toxicity resulting from such combination treatment, substantial data remains unavailable. This study was designed to explore effects of dual treatment of thioridazine

The Effects Of Body Size, Hair And Brown Adipose Tissue Upon Fever In The Rabbit, Reginald L. Dean

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Indomethacin On Gastric Secretion And Duodenal Ulcer Formation In Bile Duct-Ligated Rats, Diane M. Przewozniak

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Cold Exposure On Serum Levels Of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin In Male And Virgin Female Rats, Erik R. Larsen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Cortical And Subcortical Interhemispheric Interrelation In The Visual System, George C. Wagner

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Inhibition Of Gastric Secretion And Ulcer Formation By Lithium Chloride In The Rat, Thomas H. Adair

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparative Evaluation Of Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion In Nondiabetic, Diabetic, And Prediabetic Chinese Hamsters, Ronald Neil Prange

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Spectral Analysis Of Olfactory System Electrical Activity: Effects Of Ketamine And Sodium Pentobarbital, John Ludwig Orr

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Histochemical Study Of The Neurosecretory Cells In The Sub Pharyngeal Ganglia And Ventral Nerve Cord Of Lumbricus Terrestris And Their Response To The Removal Of The Suprapharyngeal Ganglia And To Osmotic Regulation, Bernard F. Orenstein

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Role Of The Suprapharyngeal Ganglia Of Lumbricus Terrestris In Respiratory Metabolism, John D. Nelson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Kinetic Studies Of The Cell Elongation Phenomenon In Etiolated Pisum Stem Segments, Grant M. Barkley

Masters Theses

The short-term growth response of etiolated pea stem segments (Pisum sativum L., var. Alaska) was investigated using a high-resolution growth recording device. The immediate effect of treatment with indoleacetic acid (IAA) is an inhibition of growth. This inhibition lasts about 10 minutes and then the rate of elongation rises abruptly to a new steady rate about 4 times the rate of elongation before auxin treatment. This rapid steady rate of elongation, however, continues for only about 22 minutes before declining suddenly to a lower steady rate of growth about 2 times the rate of elongation before the addition of auxin. …

An Attempt To Demonstrate The Presence Of A Local Utero-Ovarian Transport Mechanism In The Guinea Pig By Radioisotope Tracer Techniques, Michael C. Fleck

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Dietary Effects On Peripheral Blood Constituents Of The Female Mallard Under Estrogen Stimulation, Nickolias George Smyrnios

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Blood Constituent Levels Associated With Transition Into Reproduction And During Egg Formation In The Female Mallard Duck, Robert L. Smoes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.