Cellular and Molecular Physiology Commons^™

Utilizing Ai Integrated Neuroimaging Technology To Expand Upon Machine Learning In Positron Emission Tomography Technology With The Aim Of Detecting Amyloid Beta Biomarkers Early In The Onset Of Alzheimer's., Ethan S. Terman

Undergraduate Research Posters

Early intervention in Alzheimer's is vital for treatment. The earlier a professional can detect symptoms and make a diagnosis the earlier a prognosis can be implemented. With the prevalence of data in our day-to-day world combined with Artificial intelligence (AI), utilizing both for machine learning can pave the way for more accurate and efficient detection of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. AI combined with Machine learning (ML) increases diagnostic efficiency and reduces human errors, making it a valuable resource for physicians and clinicians alike. With the increasing amount of data processing and image interpretation required, the ability to use AI …

Activation Of Renal Epithelial Na+ Channels (Enac) In Infants With Congenital Heart Disease, Laura Ortmann, Shyam Sundar Nandi, Yulong Li, Hong Zheng, Kaushik K. Patel

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to measure the concentration and activity of urinary proteases that activate renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) mediated Na

METHODS: Urine samples from infants undergoing cardiac surgery were collected at three time points: T1) pre-operatively, T2) 6-8 h after surgery, and T3) 24 h after diuretics. Urine was collected from five heathy infant controls. The urine was tested for four proteases and whole-cell patch-clamp testing was conducted in renal collecting duct M-1 cells to test whether patient urine increased Na

RESULTS: Heavy chain of plasminogen, furin, and prostasin were significantly higher in cardiac patients prior to …

Innate And Adaptive Immune System Consequences Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Tatlock H. Lauten, Tamara Natour, Adam J. Case

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

In the field of psychiatry, biological markers are rarely, if ever, used in the diagnosis of mental health disorders. Clinicians rely primarily on patient histories and behavioral symptoms to identify specific psychopathologies, which makes diagnosis highly subjective. Moreover, therapies for mental health disorders are aimed specifically at attenuating behavioral manifestations, which overlooks the pathophysiological indices of the disease. This is highly evident in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) where inflammation and immune system perturbations are becoming increasingly described. Further, patients with PTSD possess significantly elevated risks of developing comorbid inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases, which are likely linked …

Comparing Ionoregulation And Modes Of Nitrogen Excretion Across The Life Cycle Of Parasitic And Non-Parasitic Lamprey Species, Shannon Davidson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Ionoregulation and nitrogenous waste (N-waste) metabolism in fishes has been extensively documented in teleosts and elasmobranchs, but less so in lampreys (Petromizontiformes). All lamprey species undergo metamorphosis which drastically changes their physiology and modes of feeding. However, differences in ionoregulatory mechanisms due to anadromous versus non anadromous life history strategies emerge following metamorphosis in different lamprey species. Furthermore, some species, such as anadromous juvenile sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), are parasitic and migrate to seawater (SW) to ingest blood protein from host fishes, while juveniles of freshwater (FW), non-parasitic species, such as the American brook lamprey …

Igf-1 Reduce Protein O-Glcnacylation Via Ampk Activation In H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Cultured In High Glucose Media, Andres Medina, Lizbeth Trevino, Alejandra Salinas, Yadira Chaires, Erick Rodriguez, Genaro Antonio Ramirez-Correa

Research Colloquium

Background: Diabetes is a disease characterized by the increase in the serum glucose concentration. Therefore, this glucose excess shunts into the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway producing UDP-GlcNAc, which can be transfer to serine residues and modify the activity of different proteins, including contractile proteins in cardiomyocytes, decreasing their function. Here we show the effect of IGF-1 treatment on this posttranslational modification.

Methods: H9c2 cell line were cultured in DMEM media, 10% FBS, at 80% of confluence. Cells were incubated in high-glucose (30 mM) in the presence or absence of 10 µmol/L of IGF-1 (HG and HG+IGF-1). As control groups, we used …

Global Impact Of Proteoglycan Science On Human Diseases, Christopher Xie, Liliana Schaefer, Renato V. Iozzo

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

In this comprehensive review, we will dissect the impact of research on proteoglycans focusing on recent developments involved in their synthesis, degradation, and interactions, while critically assessing their usefulness in various biological processes. The emerging roles of proteoglycans in global infections, specifically the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and their rising functions in regenerative medicine and biomaterial science have significantly affected our current view of proteoglycans and related compounds. The roles of proteoglycans in cancer biology and their potential use as a next-generation protein-based adjuvant therapy to combat cancer is also emerging as a constructive and potentially beneficial therapeutic strategy. We will discuss …

Role Of Chronic Stress-Induced Neuroinflammation In Rodent Locus Coeruleus Physiology And Anxiety-Like Behaviors, Arthur Anthony Alfonso Reyes

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

The locus coeruleus (LC), the primary site of brain norepinephrine (NE), is a key anatomical brain region implicated in the stress response. Stress is a neuroendocrine physiologic response to a stressor that promotes organism survival through adaptive change and restoration of homeostasis. The central stress response, which drives behavioral and physiological change, is primarily mediated by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. While advantageous in the short term, chronic stress exposure can lead to HPA axis and LC dysregulation, which are thought to contribute to the etiology of anxiety disorders. Previous studies demonstrate the effects of acute stress in increasing LC …

Physico-Chemical Characteristics Of Ensiled Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) And Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas L. (Lam.)) Foliage, And Fermentation Kinetics Of Cassava Silage, Arnel N. Del Barrio, Christian V. Lualhati, Kimberly I B. Turaja, Ralph Jovi B. Saldajeno, Mauricio P. Bayubay Jr, Chesa A. Elenterio, Babylyn T. Salazar, Gerard F. Guadayo, Kamla Zyra G. Lavadia, Menandro M. Loresco

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study was conducted to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of ensiled cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.)) foliage with or without additives molasses and rice bran. Six treatment combinations were from two crop species (cassava and sweetpotato) and three additives (without additive, 10% molasses, and 10% rice bran). The physical (color, odor, texture) and chemical characteristics (pH, total soluble sugars, Flieg point, dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose) of the samples were evaluated following standard procedures. Fermentation kinetics of cassava foliage silage and ruminal in situ DM degradability of cassava …

Compositional Properties Of Flours And Starches From The Philippine National Seed And Industry Council-Registered Root Crops, Edgardo E. Tulin, Chinelo M. Cardaño, Anabella B. Tulin, Ma. Theresa P. Loreto, Ea Kristine Clarisse B. Tulin, Ma. Villa N. Yu

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Based in the Visayas State University, Philippines, the germplasm collection of the Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) is home to several varieties that have not been fully characterized for their potential use in the production of functional foods. This study evaluated the compositional properties, amylose/amylopectin ratio, and glycemic index of flour and starches of 10 varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)), and taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott); 8 varieties of yam (Dioscorea alata L.); and 5 varieties of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.), which was the recommended …

Du Undergraduate Showcase: Research, Scholarship, And Creative Works, Caitlyn Aldersea, Justin Bravo, Sam Allen, Anna Block, Connor Block, Emma Buechler, Maria De Los Angeles Bustillos, Arianna Carlson, William Christensen, Olivia Kachulis, Noah Craver, Kate Dillon, Muskan Fatima, Angel Fernandes, Emma Finch, Colleen Cassidy, Amy Fishman, Andrea Francis, Stacia Fritz, Simran Gill, Emma Gries, Rylie Hansen, Shannon Powers, Jacqueline Martinez, Zachary Harker, Ashley Hasty, Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, Kathleen Hopps, Adelaide Kerenick, Colin Kleckner, Ci Koehring, Elijah Kruger, Braden Krumholz, Maddie Leake, Lyneé Alves, Seraphina Loukas, Yatzari Lozano Vazquez, Haley Maki, Emily Martinez, Sierra Mckinney, Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, Audrey Mitchell, Kipling Newman, Audrey Ng, Megan Lucyshyn, Andrew Nguyen, Stevie Ostman, Casandra Pearson, Alexandra Penney, Julia Gielczynski, Tyler Ball, Anna Rini, Christina Rorres, Simon Ruland, Helayna Schafer, Emma Sellers, Sarah Schuller, Claire Shaver, Kevin Summers, Isabella Shaw, Madison Sinar, Claudia Pena, Apshara Siwakoti, Carter Sorensen, Madi Sousa, Anna Sparling, Alexandra Revier, Brandon Thierry, Dylan Tyree, Maggie Williams, Lauren Wols

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

DU Undergraduate Showcase: Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works

Does Vdac2 Have A Bh3 Domain?, Lillian Ferkany

Honors Theses

Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) by Bax oligomerization triggers apoptosis. BCl-2 family proteins, classified as BH3 only proteins, pro-survival proteins, or pro-apoptotic proteins, control apoptosis partly through their agonist or antagonistic effects on Bax, which are mediated by their conserved BH3 domains. All BH3 domains form an alpha helix containing 5-7 conserved hydrophobic residues, designated H0-H5, and one conserved aspartic acid that drive interaction with Bax and other ‘multi-domain’ BCl-2 members. BH3 agonists induce Bax oligomerization, while BH3 antagonists sequester Bax to prevent MOMP. We discovered that voltage dependent anion channels (VDACs) in the MOM contain a putative BH3-like domain …

Review Of Biomedical Applications Of Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Natalie M. Howard

Honors College Theses

Tissue engineering can be defined as processes that aim to generate three-dimensional functional tissues in vitrothat have been favorably altered according to the structural, biochemical, electrophysiological, and biomechanical properties of the desired tissue before implantation into the human body. In relation to cardiac tissues, these properties would include the ability to conduct action potentials, withstand systolic pressure, permit sufficient O₂ and CO₂penetration, sufficient vascularization to supply nutrients for cellular activity, surface topology that enables cellular communication, and more. As heart diseases and instances of myocardial infarction continue to rise worldwide, there is an increasing need for …

Validating A New In Vivo Model To Study Als, Izabela J. Cimachowska

Student Theses and Dissertations

Buildup of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are well known characteristics of both sporadic and hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While both forms of the disease seem to arise from common cellular dysfunction, the genetic disease is studied to a much greater extent. Engineering novel animal models of the sporadic form of the disease is crucial for development of druggable targets to treat ALS and understand the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, accumulation of oxidative stress by exacerbated emission of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from presynaptic mitochondria is a hallmark of both hereditary and sporadic ALS. Previous work by our laboratory showed …

Adipocytes And Innate Immunity In Systemic Sclerosis, Nancy Wareing

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a chronic systemic autoimmune and connective tissue disorder characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmune phenomena, and widespread fibrosis. Skin thickening and tightening is the cardinal feature of SSc and is responsible, in part, for the considerable morbidity of this disease. There are currently no targeted treatments for skin manifestations in SSc, primarily due to our fragmented understanding of its pathophysiologic mechanisms. In PART I, we report a previously unappreciated link between aberrant expression of the developmental gene sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) in skin-associated adipocytes in SSc skin and the early loss of dermal white adipose …

Stretch Activation During Fatigue Improves Relative Force Production In Fast-Contracting Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers, Philip C. Woods

Masters Theses

Stretch activation (F_SA) is the delayed increase in fiber specific tension (force per cross-sectional area) following a rapid stretch and can improve muscle performance during repetitive cyclical contractions. Historically considered minimal in skeletal muscle, our recent work showed the ratio ofstretch- to calcium-activated specific tension (F_SA/F₀) increased from 10 to 40% with greater inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels in soleus muscle fibers (Straight et al., 2019). Given Pi increases with muscle fatigue, we hypothesize that F_SA helps maintain force generation during fatigue. To test this, F_SA, induced by a stretch of 0.5% …

Beyond The Fat: Protein Metabolism And Muscle Function As Part Of The Migratory Syndrome Of Songbirds, Cory R. Elowe

Doctoral Dissertations

Migration allows animals to seasonally exploit favorable habitats that are geographically disparate, and migratory animals have a suite of adaptations to complete their extraordinary journeys. This “migratory syndrome” of traits is comprised of seasonally-responsive adaptations that together result in changes to metabolism, body composition, and reproductive status, all of which act to increase the probability of a successful migration. The focus of my dissertation is to investigate the suite of changes in metabolism and muscle function that enable birds to undertake long-duration flights. In chapter 1, I compare fuel use in flight between two related migratory warbler species that migrate …

The Possible Role For Basigin Receptor Function In The Induction Of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression In Human Endometrial Stromal Cells, Amy Abel

All NMU Master's Theses

10-15% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility. The leading cause of infertility is implantation failure. Molecular communication in precise time and space between an implanting embryo and a receptive uterus is essential for successful implantation. Basigin has been shown to have vital functions within the implantation process. Basigin is best known for inducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Basigin has been shown to induce MMP expression in vitro in human endometrial stromal cell lines (HESC). Understanding how basigin induces matrix metalloproteinases within normal cellular conditions will help researchers understand how these signaling cascades flow in the framework of implantation. …

Med13 Degradation Defines A New Receptor-Mediated Autophagy Pathway Activated By Nutrient Deprivation, Sara E. Hanley

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Cells are exposed to an enormous amount of diverse extracellular cues but have a limited arsenal of weapons for protecting and maintaining homeostasis. To overcome these restrictions, nature has engineered proteins that have multiple functions. The pleiotropy of using one protein to carry out a variety of functions allows cells to rapidly execute tailored responses to a diverse set of signals. The Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) is a conserved detachable unit of the Mediator complex predominantly known for its role in transcriptional regulation. The CKM is composed of four proteins, the scaffolding proteins Med13 and Med12, as well as the …

Effect Of Resistance Training On White Blood Cell Count And Chemotherapy Efficacy In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients During Adriamycin-Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy Treatment, Mimi Wassef

The Larrie and Bobbi Weil Undergraduate Research Award

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer to treat due to a lack of molecular targets. While chemotherapy (CT) has become the standard form of treatment, the administration of CT depends on adequate white blood cell (WBC) count. When WBC becomes too low, patients risk becoming ineligible for treatment. In the general population, WBC count has been shown to increase as a result of exercise, but little research has been done on the effects of exercise and WBC count in the TNBC population. The purpose of this study is to determine if 12 …

Endothelial Cell Nrf2-Ko Attenuates Endothelial Function And Skeletal Muscle Antioxidant Capacity, Elizabeth J. Pekas, Cody P. Anderson, Michael F. Allen, Kollyn B. Jallen, Dong Gun Jin, Andres Benitez-Albiter, Christian D. Sanchez Tato, Lie Gao, Neha Dhyani, Tara L. Rudebush, Irving H. Zucker, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial cells line the inner surface of blood vessels and play a major role in modulating blood flow and gas exchange. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a contributor to cardiovascular disease development, and it is well-accepted that excessive reactive oxygen species (harmful molecules) likely contribute to endothelial dysfunction. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered the master regulator of cellular protection in response to elevated reactive oxygen species. Therefore, Nrf2 may be a potential therapeutic target to protect against endothelial dysfunction. However, the roles of endothelial cell-specific Nrf2 on endothelial function are not …