Digital Commons Network^™

Trpm5'S Role In Vascular Development, Megan Goeckel

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Blood vessels are composed of two main cell types, endothelial cells (ECs) and mural cells (MCs). Endothelial cells comprise of the inner-most layer of the vessel and sense changes in blood flow to recruit mural cells. The mechanism for how endothelial cells sense these hemodynamic changes is not well understood and deciphering this mechanism is the focus of this thesis. We hypothesize that transient receptor potential melastatin 5 (TRPM5), a transmembrane channel protein, is involved in this process. Here, using cultured human endothelial cells and the zebrafish model, we show that inhibition of TRPM5 decreases vessel formation and increases EC-MC …

Effect Of Obesity And Insulin Resistance On Glucose And Fatty Acid Metabolism, Chao Cao

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

In people with obesity, insulin resistance of glucose and fatty acid metabolism is common and it is thought that insulin resistance of fatty acid metabolism is involved in causing insulin resistance of glucose metabolism and subsequently hyperglycemia through a mechanism referred to as “lipotoxicity”. However, in many individuals with obesity and insulin resistance fasting plasma glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations are not elevated. It is widely believed that pancreatic beta-cells detect the need to increase insulin secretion in order to compensate for the impaired insulin action caused by insulin resistance in these people, whereas beta-cell dysfunction results in …

Effect Of High Intensity Interval Training Under Mask On Force Vital Capacity In Football Players, Neranoch Bumrung, Apiwan Manimmanakorn, Natthapon Traiperm

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(6): 576-586, 2023. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of high interval training (HIIT) under mask on forced vital capacity in football players. Fourteen male football players (age 20 ± 2 years) were randomized into the without mask group (CON) or with the 2 difference mask groups [Surgical mask (SM), FFP2 mask (FM)]. HIIT program were implemented six movements in each session three times per week. Body composition, forced vital capacity and percutaneous oxygen saturation test were taken before and after 4 weeks intervention. The results show that forced vital capacity …

Physiological Effects Of A Traditional Active Warm-Up Versus A Passive Warm-Up During Submaximal Endurance Exercise, Vernice Ollano

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to investigate physiological responses during a traditional active warm-up and a passive warm-up consisting of wearing heated trousers during a submaximal endurance cycling workout. Participants included 10 cyclists/triathletes (3 females, 7 males; age: 48 ± 13 years old; mass: 157.9 ± 33.8 kg; height: 169.3 ± 8.65 cm; percent body fat: 25.3 ± 8.53 %) of at least 18 years of age who could continuously cycle for at least 120 minutes and had knowledge of their individual FTP. Experimental 1-day testing included a randomized crossover design where participants proceeded with two different protocols: an …

Effects Of Cannabichromene On Pain And Neuroinflammation In Hiv-1 Tat Transgenic Mice, Sydney Wheeler

Honors Theses

HIV-1 TransActivator of Transcription (Tat) is a vital regulatory protein involved in HIV replication and implicated in development of HIV-associated pain and neurocognitive deficits. Tat is thought to contribute to these pathologies through proinflammatory pathways. Developing mechanisms to curb Tat-mediated inflammation is a key step in improving the quality of life of those living with HIV. Both recreational and medicinal cannabis use is prevalent among many people living with HIV; given this prevalence and the perceived anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabis use, it is important to investigate how chemical constituents of cannabis may impact HIV. In the present study, the effects …

A Comparison Of The Vascular Response To Acute Sauna Heating In Young And Middle-Aged Adults, Olivia Kathryn Leach

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Age-related declines in endothelial function have been well documented with larger declines observed in middle-aged. Passive heat exposure has been shown to be a promising method to improve vascular endothelial health, with sauna specifically being linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Increases in blood flow and shear rates associated with heat exposure are often considered to have a major influence on the observed improved endothelial function following heat exposure. The magnitude of these changes in response to sauna have not yet been defined. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the vascular response to …

Introduction To Human Biology, Sharon S. Ellerton, Christopher Roblodowski

Open Educational Resources

This OER is intended as a textbook for a one semester introductory course in Human Anatomy and Physiology for non-science majors. It covers the major topics typically covered in A&P, but in a simplified, easier to understand manner. This textbook aims to educate students interested in lower-level health careers and non-science majors without the intimidating detail found in current textbooks. Text and images were created to be more accessible for these student populations.

Flexible Materials And Applications For Wearable Sensors, Brock Ferrari

Senior Honors Theses

This literature review aimed to address the limitations of rigid wearable sensors in the medical community by investigating the development of flexible materials for remote health monitoring. A keyword search was conducted on Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Jerry Falwell Library, which yielded 9,102 articles. After applying filtering techniques, the results were narrowed down to 21 articles, which were categorized into "Present Market Conditions," "Flexible Materials for Medical Use," "Applications for Wearable Sensors," and "Potential Use Cases." Discussions were held on prominent materials such as substrate, nanocomposite, and liquid metal materials, exploring their potential applications for chemical and physical sensing, …

Application Of The Recitation Method To Improve The Competence Of Medical Laboratory Technology Students In The Immunology Field, Patricia Gita Naully, Perdina Nursidika

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

An accredited mid-level MLT (Medical Laboratory Technology) must have the competence to perform medical laboratory examinations from pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic stages in several fields, one of which is immunology. Many D3 MLT students are facing obstacles to passed the immunology course. This obstacle is not only experienced by students of D3 MLT but also by medical students, pharmacy students, and similar majors. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of recitation method in the form of animation video making and immunology based device on the competence of Diploma 3 (D3) MLT students. This research is a …

Microbiome Influencers Of Checkpoint Blockade-Associated Toxicity, Yinghong Wang, Robert R Jenq, Jennifer A Wargo, Stephanie S Watowich

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Immunotherapy has greatly improved cancer outcomes, yet variability in response and off-target tissue damage can occur with these treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Multiple lines of evidence indicate the host microbiome influences ICI response and risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). As the microbiome is modifiable, these advances indicate the potential to manipulate microbiome components to increase ICI success. We discuss microbiome features associated with ICI response, with focus on bacterial taxa and potential immune mechanisms involved in irAEs, and the overall goal of driving novel approaches to manipulate the microbiome to improve ICI efficacy while avoiding irAE risk.

High Pulse Pressure Impairs Cerebral Artery Endothelial Function In Young, But Not Old, Mice, Nick R Winder, Emily H Reeve, Elise K Kronquist, Aleena Khurana, Byron Lee, Thuan Nguyen, Grant D Henson, Ashley E Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

One of the hallmarks of vascular aging is increased pulse pressure. This elevated pulse pressure is associated with deleterious effects on cerebral vascular function; however, it is unknown if age modulates the susceptibility to high pulse pressure. To examine the effects of age on the cerebral artery response to pulse pressure, we studied isolated cerebral arteries collected from young (6.1 ± 0.2 mo) and old (26.7 ± 0.5 mo) male C57BL/6 mice. Isolated cerebral arteries were exposed ex vivo to static pressure, low pulse pressure (25 mmHg), and high pulse pressure (50 mmHg). In cerebral arteries from young mice, endothelium-dependent …

Can Tilt Be Used To Teach Study Tactics? A Case Study In A Biology Classroom, Anne Jacobs

Perspectives In Learning

Recently, there has been a movement encouraging instructors in higher education to use the Transparency in Teaching and Learning (TILT) framework when designing assignments. This framework helps instructors clarify their expectations and evaluation criteria. Making assignments more transparent may result in greater student success. However, it is less clear how this framework can be applied to classes that use exams as a main method of assessing student learning. One option might be to use a TILTed assignment to introduce students to learning tools to improve their studying. I did this by giving students in an introductory biology class an assignment …

Pyridoxamine Treatment Ameliorates Large Artery Stiffening And Cerebral Artery Endothelial Dysfunction In Old Mice, Emily H Reeve, Elise K Kronquist, Julia R Wolf, Byron Lee, Aleena Khurana, Hanson Pham, Abigail E Cullen, Jessica A Peterson, Antonio Meza, R Colton Bramwell, Laura Villasana, Daniel R Machin, Grant D Henson, Ashley E Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Age-related increases in large artery stiffness are associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Pyridoxamine treatment prevents large artery stiffening with advancing age, but the effects of pyridoxamine treatment on the cerebral vasculature or cognition is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pyridoxamine on blood pressure, large artery stiffness, cerebral artery function, and cognitive function in old mice. Old male C57BL/6 mice consumed either pyridoxamine (2 g/L) or vehicle control in drinking water for ∼7.5 months and were compared with young male C57BL/6 mice. From pre- to post-treatment, systolic blood pressure increased in old …

Comparison Of Serum Albu-Min Levels In The Breast Milk Of Breastfeeding Infants Aged 1-3 Months And 4-6 Months, Ninik Mudjihartini

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Abstract: Background: Serum albumin is the most abundant plasma protein in the blood, contributing to maintaining colloid osmotic pressure and binding substances that are poorly soluble in plasma so that they can be distributed throughout the body. Serum albumin levels in breast milk can vary, influenced by various factors such as the lactation phase (age of the baby), number of parities, age and body mass index (BMI) of the mother. This study aims to determine the comparison of serum albumin levels in breast milk of mothers who breastfeed infants aged 1-3 months and 4-6 months and to find the relationship …

Post-Translational Modification Of Proteins Via Ambient Air Pollutants And Endogenous Reactive Species, Rachel Lauren Davey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proteins can react with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) to form post-translational modifications (PTMs), which can affect protein structure and function. The formation of 3-nitrotyrosine (NTyr) and dityrosine (DiTyr) upon reaction of proteins with ROS/RNS are two common PTMs studied due to their stability and irreversibility, as well as their ability to enhance the allergenicity of pollen allergens upon formation. Many common techniques used to study the formation of these PTMs can reliably detect the PTMs but can only provide semi-quantitative information due to many assumptions and limitations. In Chapter 2 we present an analysis of …

Investigating Smooth Muscle Myosin Dynamics And Assembly In Physiology And Pathology, Maggie Bennett

Dissertations

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) surround many blood vessels throughout the body,where they dynamically alter vessel diameter to regulate blood pressure, provide structural integrity, and absorb shock on a beat-to-beat timescale. As smooth muscle function fails, profound vascular disease ensues, often with tragic results- even death. Smooth muscle myosin 2 (SM2) is the dominant motor protein that actuates contractility and allows SMCs to perform these vital functions. To function, SM2 monomers dynamically assemble into filaments, which upon SMC activation, associate with filamentous actin to drive contractility. Despite the critical contribution of SM2 to SMC function, foundational aspects of SM2 assembly …

Therapeutic Implications Of The Gut-Cns Axis In Promoting Recovery Following Cervical Spinal Cord Injury, Jessica Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Nearly 60% of all spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur at the cervical level. These high-level injuries can interrupt the descending respiratory pathways required for breathing. Indeed, therapies in animal studies have been successful at restoring breathing after SCI; however, these interventions appear to be more effective at chronic time points. One potential cause for this observation is the impact of the injury on the gut microbiome. Neurotrauma can induce gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of pathogenic and beneficial gut microbiota, which has previously been shown to negatively impact the central nervous system (CNS) and impair recovery. We aimed to build upon …

The Role Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I In The Development Of The Cerebellum In Euthyroid And Hypothyroid Mice, Prathibha Mangedarage

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Thyroid hormone deficiency during development is known to cause anatomical defects in the cerebellum that lead to neurological deficits. It has been observed that insufficient thyroid hormone levels also decrease the levels of brain derived Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1). Given that the deficits caused by low Igf-1 levels are similar to those caused by low thyroid hormone, we designed this study to investigate if the deficits caused in the development of the cerebellum by low thyroid hormone levels may be due to the lack of sufficient Igf-1. We also sought to determine if ectopic over expression of Igf-1 in …

Plant Sentience Revisited: Sifting Through The Thicket Of Perspectives, Paco Calvo, Miguel Segundo-Ortin

Animal Sentience

In our target article (Segundo-Ortin & Calvo 2023), we proposed the intriguing possibility of plant sentience, drawing parallels with non-human animal studies. This response aims to sift through the rich thicket of perspectives offered by our commentators. To do so, we assess the risks of employing double standards, as well as the tendencies of anthropomorphizing and zoomorphizing in plant studies. We also emphasize the need for clarity in linguistic and conceptual terms, examine the neurophysiological evidence for plant sentience, and discuss the ethical implications of such recognition.

Alzheimer’S Disease Genetics And Short-Chain Fatty Acid Treatment In Studies Of The Murine Gut Microbiome, Diana Zajac

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Elucidating the relationship of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk and pathogenesis is an area of intense interest. Since 60 to 80% of AD risk is related to genetics and APOE alleles represent the most impactful genetic risk factors for AD, their mechanism(s) of action are under intense scrutiny.

First, I conducted a study on APOE targeted replacement mice to investigate the impact of APOE alleles on the murine gut microbiome. The relative abundance of bacteria from the family Ruminococacceae and related genera increased with APOE2 status. The relative abundance of the class Erysipelotrichia increased with APOE4 status, …

Producing Grnas For Use In Crispr-Cas9 Dna Editing Applications Via In Vivo T7 Rna Polymerase Transcription In Escherichia Coli., Christian A. Santiago

Honors Program Theses

The development of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is widely considered to be a breakthrough advancement in gene editing. Compared to traditional technologies, CRISPR is generally regarded as the most accessible, effective, and precise tool for inducing stable and inheritable gene edits in vivo. The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing complex relies on the complementary binding of guide RNAs to specifically target a DNA sequence for endonuclease cleavage and mutagenesis. The production of gRNAs for use in CRISPR applications can become exceedingly complex and costly, as in vivo methodologies generally require the use of RNA polymerases that interfere with gRNA sequence identity and in …

Characterizing Cellular Injury And Inflammation With Aldob-/-Mouse Model Of Mafld, Andy Rashid

All Master's Theses

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects 1 in 3 people in the US and is a healthcare burden on the order of billions of dollars. MAFLD is characterized by pathological lipid accumulation in the liver, excess production of triglycerides and cholesterol, and export of LDL particles that raise serum lipid levels. These metabolic perturbations can lead to the development of liver fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Diagnosing MAFLD prior to fibrosis is crucial for successful intervention and prevention of advanced liver disease and other metabolic complications. Fructose-1Phospahte (F1P) accumulation from fructose overconsumption can drive hepatic lipogenesis and MAFLD progression. …

Association Between Objectively-Measured Sedentary Time And Self-Reported Prescription Medication Use Among Adults: A Pilot Study, Ciarra Ashley Boyne

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Prescription medication use and extended sedentary time are independently related to poor health outcomes (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome, mortality). Historically, survey methods have been used to obtain estimates of total sedentary time (ST), however, recent use of accelerometers avoids self-report bias and affords more characteristics of ST that may be factors in health outcomes (e.g., frequency and duration of sedentary bouts). The aims of this pilot study were to 1) examine the association between objectively measured ST via accelerometers and self-reported prescription medication use in adults and 2) examine the independent association of sedentary bout length and frequency with …

Reflections On A Career Unplanned, Robert A. Glazer

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. I never planned to be a marine biologist; yet, after a long and unpredictable journey, that’s exactly where I found myself. After obtaining my B.S. in Fishery Biology from Colorado State University, I found myself meandering from job to job like a golden retriever following some vague scent. At first, I was hired by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to work seasonally in Grand Teton National Park on the freshwater trout fisheries. Soon thereafter, I found myself cultivating oysters, clams, and other shellfish in California. The skills I developed there as an algologist led …

Effects Of Altering Physiologically Relevant Cholesterol Levels And Media Types On Porin Gene Expression In Klebsiella Pneumoniae And The Resulting Impact On Antibiotic Resistance, Megan R. Camden

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. K. pneumoniae is a rising threat in the clinical setting, as there has been a large increase in the presence of antibiotic resistant isolates. While much research is conducted on laboratory and clinical strains of bacteria, not much is known regarding the impact that human physiology can have on bacterial gene expression, and in response, to antibiotic susceptibility. The goal of this study is to determine if physiologically relevant cholesterol levels and media types impact porin gene expression and antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae. To accomplish this, …

Spiking Neural Network That Maps From Generalized Coordinates To Cartesian Coordinates, Chloe K. Guie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, I look to understand how insects compute task-level quantities by integrating range-fractionated sensory signals to create a sparse-spatial coding of Cartesian positions. I created biologically plausible 2-D and 3-D models of one species of the stick insect (Carausius morosus) leg and encoded the foot position through a spiking neural network. This model used spiking afferents from three angles of an insect leg which are integrated by one non-spiking interneuron. This model contains many dendritic compartments and one somatic compartment that encode the foot’s position relative to the body. The Functional Subnetwork Approach (FSA) was used …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol Cream On Soreness And Performance After Exercise In Untrained Individuals, Joseph Thomas Pastina

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results from unaccustomed exercise and can lead to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Impairments associated with EIMD and DOMS can result in moderate-to-severe discomfort and hindered performance. Recently, a compound derived from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), has been used as a recovery tool for EIMD and DOMS. Despite the rising popularity of CBD products, their effectiveness in mitigating EIMD and DOMS is unknown. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CBD cream on DOMS and performance after an intensive lower-body exercise protocol. In addition, the study sought to …

Reliability And Validity Of A Commercial Running Power Meter To Indicate Metabolic Workload During Endurance Running, James Harris Hudgins Iii

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Commercial running power (RP) meters may provide endurance runners and coaches with improved precision for monitoring running intensity. Cyclists rely upon the relationship between cycling power and metabolic demand to regulate physiological intensity during training and racing, independent of changes in the physical environment (e.g., terrain, wind). Research demonstrates strong reliability and validity for a specific RP meter to indicate metabolic demand within controlled running conditions. However, several potential influences on this relationship have not been investigated. Therefore, four studies were conducted with the following aims:

- Study 1: Determine the inter-limb reliability and validity of a single-limb-based RP meter …

The Impact Of Overhead Dumbbell Squat Towards Swimming Speed Of Tirta Palm Swimming Club Members, Winaspita Aulia Putri, Adelia Handoko, Ulfa Elfiah

Jurnal Keolahragaan

Swimming athletes compete by how fast they can swim at a certain distance. One of the most important things that affect the swimming speed was the muscle strength of the arms and legs. The swimming speed can be increased by doing the physical exercise that can affect the arms and legs muscles which was called overhead dumbbell squat (ODS) exercise. The purpose of this study was to find out if there was an effect of ODS on increased breaststroke swimming speed of Tirta Palm Swimming Club members. This study was an experimental study with one group pretest-posttest design that was …

Human Health During Space Travel: State-Of-The-Art Review, Chayakrit Krittanawong, Nitin Kumar Singh, Richard A Scheuring, Emmanuel Urquieta, Eric M Bershad, Timothy R Macaulay, Scott Kaplin, Carly Dunn, Stephen F Kry, Thais Russomano, Marc Shepanek, Raymond P Stowe, Andrew W Kirkpatrick, Timothy J Broderick, Jean D Sibonga, Andrew G Lee, Brian E Crucian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The field of human space travel is in the midst of a dramatic revolution. Upcoming missions are looking to push the boundaries of space travel, with plans to travel for longer distances and durations than ever before. Both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and several commercial space companies (e.g., Blue Origin, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic) have already started the process of preparing for long-distance, long-duration space exploration and currently plan to explore inner solar planets (e.g., Mars) by the 2030s. With the emergence of space tourism, space travel has materialized as a potential new, exciting frontier of business, hospitality, …