Digital Commons Network^™

The Vitamin D Serum Levels In Pregnant Women Affected By Covid-19: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Luiza Szarpak, Stepan Feduniw, Michal Pruc, Michal Ciebiera, Basar Cander, Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah, Łukasz Szarpak

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Vitamin D can modulate immune responses, and its deficiency is linked to increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection. In the general population, it has been observed that serum vitamin D levels are connected with the risk of COVID-19 and its severity. Our study aims to examine reported findings on the effect of vitamin D serum levels on infection of COVID-19 during pregnancy. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. Serum vitamin D serum levels in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative pregnant women were 24.61 ± 20.86 ng/mL and 24.12 ± 17.33 ng/mL, respectively. In mild vs. …

Alcohol As A Modifiable Risk Factor For Alzheimer’S Disease—Evidence From Experimental Studies, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, Ross A. Steinberg, Derick Han, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment and memory loss. Epidemiological evidence suggests that heavy alcohol consumption aggravates AD pathology, whereas low alcohol intake may be protective. However, these observations have been inconsistent, and because of methodological discrepancies, the findings remain controversial. Alcohol-feeding studies in AD mice support the notion that high alcohol intake promotes AD, while also hinting that low alcohol doses may be protective against AD. Chronic alcohol feeding to AD mice that delivers alcohol doses sufficient to cause liver injury largely promotes and accelerates AD pathology. The mechanisms by which alcohol can …

Microfibril-Associated Protein 5 And The Regulation Of Skin Scar Formation, Chen Han, Trevor R Leonardo, Bruna Romana-Souza, Junhe Shi, Shalyn Keiser, Heidi Yuan, Mohamad Altakriti, Matthew J Ranzer, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, Samuel C Mok, Timothy J Koh, Seok Jong Hong, Lin Chen, Luisa A Dipietro

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Many factors regulate scar formation, which yields a modified extracellular matrix (ECM). Among ECM components, microfibril-associated proteins have been minimally explored in the context of skin wound repair. Microfibril-associated protein 5 (MFAP5), a small 25 kD serine and threonine rich microfibril-associated protein, influences microfibril function and modulates major extracellular signaling pathways. Though known to be associated with fibrosis and angiogenesis in certain pathologies, MFAP5's role in wound healing is unknown. Using a murine model of skin wound repair, we found that MFAP5 is significantly expressed during the proliferative and remodeling phases of healing. Analysis of existing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from …

Progesterone From Ovulatory Menstrual Cycles Is An Important Cause Of Breast Cancer, Herjan J T Coelingh Bennink, Iman J Schultz, Marcus Schmidt, V Craig Jordan, Paula Briggs, Jan F M Egberts, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Ludwig Kiesel, Kirsten Kluivers, Jan Krijgh, Tommaso Simoncini, Frank Z Stanczyk, Robert D Langer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Many factors, including reproductive hormones, have been linked to a woman's risk of developing breast cancer (BC). We reviewed the literature regarding the relationship between ovulatory menstrual cycles (MCs) and BC risk. Physiological variations in the frequency of MCs and interference with MCs through genetic variations, pathological conditions and or pharmaceutical interventions revealed a strong link between BC risk and the lifetime number of MCs. A substantial reduction in BC risk is observed in situations without MCs. In genetic or transgender situations with normal female breasts and estrogens, but no progesterone (P4), the incidence of BC is very low, suggesting …

Glial Progenitor Heterogeneity And Key Regulators Revealed By Single-Cell Rna Sequencing Provide Insight To Regeneration In Spinal Cord Injury, Haichao Wei, Xizi Wu, Joseph Withrow, Raquel Cuevas-Diaz Duran, Simranjit Singh, Lesley S Chaboub, Jyotirmoy Rakshit, Julio Mejia, Andrew Rolfe, Juan J Herrera, Philip J Horner, Jia Qian Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Recent studies have revealed the heterogeneous nature of astrocytes; however, how diverse constituents of astrocyte-lineage cells are regulated in adult spinal cord after injury and contribute to regeneration remains elusive. We perform single-cell RNA sequencing of GFAP-expressing cells from sub-chronic spinal cord injury models and identify and compare with the subpopulations in acute-stage data. We find subpopulations with distinct functional enrichment and their identities defined by subpopulation-specific transcription factors and regulons. Immunohistochemistry, RNAscope experiments, and quantification by stereology verify the molecular signature, location, and morphology of potential resident neural progenitors or neural stem cells in the adult spinal cord before …

Lateral Septum As A Melanocortin Downstream Site In Obesity Development, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhiying Jiang, Hongli Li, Jing Cai, Yanyan Jiang, Joshua Otiz-Guzman, Yong Xu, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qingchun Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The melanocortin pathway is well established to be critical for body-weight regulation in both rodents and humans. Despite extensive studies focusing on this pathway, the downstream brain sites that mediate its action are not clear. Here, we found that, among the known paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neuron groups, those expressing melanocortin receptors 4 (PVHMc4R) preferably project to the ventral part of the lateral septum (LSv), a brain region known to be involved in emotional behaviors. Photostimulation of PVHMc4R neuron terminals in the LSv reduces feeding and causes aversion, whereas deletion of Mc4Rs or disruption of glutamate release from LSv-projecting PVH neurons …

An Assessment Of How Clinicians And Staff Members Use A Diabetes Artificial Intelligence Prediction Tool: Mixed Methods Study, Winston R Liaw, Yessenia Ramos Silva, Erica G Soltero, Alex Krist, Angela L Stotts

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Nearly one-third of patients with diabetes are poorly controlled (hemoglobin A1c≥9%). Identifying at-risk individuals and providing them with effective treatment is an important strategy for preventing poor control.

Objective: This study aims to assess how clinicians and staff members would use a clinical decision support tool based on artificial intelligence (AI) and identify factors that affect adoption.

Methods: This was a mixed methods study that combined semistructured interviews and surveys to assess the perceived usefulness and ease of use, intent to use, and factors affecting tool adoption. We recruited clinicians and staff members from practices that manage diabetes. During …

The Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry (Measure): Concept, Design And Challenges, Morey W Haymond, David Araújo-Vilar, John Balser, James H Lewis, Ruth Louzado, Carla Musso, Julia Von Schnurbein, Martin Wabitsch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Metreleptin, a recombinant analog of human leptin, is an approved therapy, adjunct to diet, to treat the metabolic complications of leptin deficiency in patients with lipodystrophy - a group of rare diseases characterized by a paucity of adipose tissue. MEASuRE (Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry) is a post-authorization, voluntary registry that gathers long-term safety and effectiveness data on metreleptin. Here, we present the aims and evolution of MEASuRE.

METHODS: MEASuRE was established to collect data from patients receiving commercially supplied metreleptin in the United States (US) and European Union (EU). MEASuRE aims to determine the incidence and severity of …

Facilitators And Barriers To Effective Scale-Up Of Evidence-Based Nonprofit-Level Hiv Prevention And Treatment Interventions Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm), Ugochukwu C. Uzoeghelu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Since the scale-up of HIV/AIDS prevention evidence-based interventions (EBIs) has not been simple in nonprofit settings, it is crucial to examine processes that occur in the translation of the EBIs into practice that affect successful implementation through the lens of nonprofit principles and practices. This paper examines the facilitators and barriers to effective scale-up of evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment services for nonprofit health organizations that serve Black men who have sex with men (MSM). I interviewed nonprofit health organizations (n = 4) engaged in the global response to end the HIV epidemic, specifically those who provide HIV prevention and …

Parent Perspectives Of School/Daycare Experiences In Young Children Newly Diagnosed With Diabetes, Alexa Stern, Brenda Duran, Randi Streisand, Christine H Wang, Carrie Tully, Lauren Clary, Katherine Gallagher, Fran Cogen, Lefkothea Karaviti, Maureen Monaghan, Marisa E Hilliard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: A central part of family adjustment to a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is integrating T1D management into the child's school/daycare. This may be particularly challenging for young children who rely on adults for their diabetes management. This study aimed to describe parent experiences with school/daycare during the first 1.5 years following a young child's T1D diagnosis.

METHODS: As part of a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention, 157 parents of young children with new-onset (<2 >months) T1D reported on their child's school/daycare experience at baseline and at 9- and 15-month post-randomization. We used a mixed-methods …

Association Of Type 2 Diabetes Subgroups With Cognitive Status Without Modification From Lifestyle Intervention, Michael P Bancks, James Lovato, Ashok Balasubramanyam, Mace Coday, Karen C Johnson, Medha Munshi, Candida Rebello, Lynne E Wagenknecht, Mark A Espeland

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

CONTEXT: Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for incident dementia but whether risk and treatment/prevention strategies differ by diabetes subgroup is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed (1) whether specific type 2 diabetes (T2D) subgroups are associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or probable dementia (PD), and (2) whether T2D subgroups modified the association of the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) multidomain intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) with MCI/PD.

METHODS: We included 3760 Look AHEAD participants with T2D and overweight or obesity randomly assigned to 10 years of ILI or diabetes support and education. We used k-means clustering techniques with …

Candida Albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis Within Macrophages Does Not Require Carbon Dioxide Or Ph-Sensing Pathways, Hannah B Wilson, Michael C Lorenz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans has evolved a variety of mechanisms for surviving inside and escaping macrophages, including the initiation of filamentous growth. Although several distinct models have been proposed to explain this process at the molecular level, the signals driving hyphal morphogenesis in this context have yet to be clarified. Here, we evaluate the following three molecular signals as potential hyphal inducers within macrophage phagosomes: CO2, intracellular pH, and extracellular pH. Additionally, we revisit previous work suggesting that the intracellular pH of C. albicans fluctuates in tandem with morphological changes in vitro. Using time-lapse microscopy, we observed …

Zinc Treatment Reverses And Anti-Zn-Regulated Mirs Suppress Esophageal Carcinomas In Vivo, Louise Fong, Kay Huebner, Ruiyan Jing, Karl Smalley, Christopher R Brydges, Oliver Fiehn, John Farber, Carlo M Croce

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly disease with few prevention or treatment options. ESCC development in humans and rodents is associated with Zn deficiency (ZD), inflammation, and overexpression of oncogenic microRNAs: miR-31 and miR-21. In a ZD-promoted ESCC rat model with upregulation of these miRs, systemic antimiR-31 suppresses the miR-31-EGLN3/STK40-NF-κB-controlled inflammatory pathway and ESCC. In this model, systemic delivery of Zn-regulated antimiR-31, followed by antimiR-21, restored expression of tumor-suppressor proteins targeted by these specific miRs: STK40/EGLN3 (miR-31), PDCD4 (miR-21), suppressing inflammation, promoting apoptosis, and inhibiting ESCC development. Moreover, ESCC-bearing Zn-deficient (ZD) rats receiving Zn medication showed a 47% …

Correction Of T-Cell Repertoire And Autoimmune Diabetes In Nod Mice By Non-Myeloablative T-Cell Depleted Allogeneic Hsct, Rakefet Sidlik Muskatel, Bar Nathansohn-Levi, Shlomit Reich-Zeliger, Michal Mark, Liat Stoler-Barak, Chava Rosen, Irit Milman-Krentsis, Esther Bachar Lustig, Robert Pete Gale, Nir Friedman, Yair Reisner

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The induction of partial tolerance toward pancreatic autoantigens in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) can be attained by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, most patients treated by autologous HSCT eventually relapse. Furthermore, allogeneic HSCT which could potentially provide a durable non-autoimmune T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is associated with a substantial risk for transplant-related mortality. We have previously demonstrated an effective approach for attaining engraftment without graft versus host disease (GVHD) of allogeneic T-cell depleted HSCT, following non-myeloablative conditioning, using donor-derived anti-3rd party central memory CD8 veto T cells (Tcm). In the present study, we investigated …

Sensor-Controlled Digital Game For Heart Failure Self-Management: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Kavita Radhakrishnan, Christine Julien, Matthew O'Hair, Rachel Tunis, Grace Lee, Angelica Rangel, James Custer, Tom Baranowski, Paul J Rathouz, Miyong T Kim

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults in the United States. There are substantial racial and geographic disparities in HF outcomes, with patients living in southern US states having a mortality rate 69% higher than the national average. Self-management behaviors, particularly daily weight monitoring and physical activity, are extremely important in improving HF outcomes; however, patients typically have particularly low adherence to these behaviors. With the rise of digital technologies to improve health outcomes and motivate health behaviors, sensor-controlled digital games (SCDGs) have become a promising approach. SCDGs, which leverage sensor-connected technologies, offer the …

Mental Health Navigators Bridging The Gap Of Care, Valentina Loreto-Ashley

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Individuals with schizophrenia are most vulnerable at time of discharge due to risk factors that lead to relapse, re-admission, suicide and/or danger to others. A successful discharge process can decrease overall care costs, promotes team collaboration, supports the therapeutic relationship between client and care provider, and helps the client to reach autonomy and self-efficacy. This DNP is a quality improvement project that aims at educating Mental Health Navigators about symptoms of schizophrenia, medications management, and community resources. Effectiveness of the educational intervention will be assessed as the differences between the pre- and post-test assessment score on insight or lack of …

Multiple And Consecutive Genome Editing Using I-Gonad And Breeding Enrichment Facilitates The Production Of Genetically Modified Mice, Carolina R Melo-Silva, Cory J Knudson, Lingjuan Tang, Samita Kafle, Lauren E. Springer, Jihae Choi, Christopher M. Snyder, Yajing Wang, Sangwon V. Kim, Luis J. Sigal

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Genetically modified (GM) mice are essential tools in biomedical research. Traditional methods for generating GM mice are expensive and require specialized personnel and equipment. The use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) coupled with improved-Genome editing via Oviductal Nucleic Acids Delivery (i-GONAD) has highly increased the feasibility of producing GM mice in research laboratories. However, genetic modification in inbred mouse strains of interest such as C57BL/6 (B6) is still challenging because of their low fertility and embryo fragility. We have successfully generated multiple novel GM mouse strains in the B6 background while attempting to optimize i-GONAD. We found …

Genetic Influences On The Response To Neuromodulation In Craving Behaviors, Carly J. Haring

Honors Thesis

Obesity and eating disorders are highly prevalent in the United States. People who suffer from obesity and/or eating disorders face serious health consequences and even death. Current treatments are not effective as recovery rates are low, so there is a dire need for an effective treatment for obesity and eating disorders. There have been studies investigating the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a means of treatment for these people. While findings show promise, there is much variability. The goal of this study is to further prior …

Center Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes Associated With Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study, Haley Williams, Kayla Woodworth

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary, multifaceted program for cardiac patients. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, health care, including center-based CR (CBCR) programs, were closed to in-person sessions. Even with the return to CBCR participation, patient outcomes may have been affected by this disruption in care. The goal of this study was to determine if CR participation outcomes differed before and after CBCR program closure due to Covid-19.

Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort design was used to examine CR participant outcome data before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Convenience sampling of CR participants at a large, urban …

Evaluating The Impact Of Routine Enteral Iron Fortification On Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis In Premature Infants, Matthew Van Ormer

Theses & Dissertations

The gastrointestinal microbiome in preterm infants bears significant influence on optimal outcomes – dysbiosis is shown to substantially increase the risk of the life-threatening necrotizing enterocolitis, whereas optimal microbiome composition improves nutrient digestion and immune function. Iron is a vital nutrient especially during the perinatal window of rapid hemoglobin production, tissue growth, and foundational neurological development. However, excess colonic iron exhibits potent oxidation capacity and alters the competitive environment of microbes – potentially facilitating the proliferation of pathological bacterial strains in the gut. Of note, breastfed preterm infants routinely receive iron fortification starting at 14 days of life and are …

Is There A Role For Plant-Based “Meat” In Cardiovascular Disease Prevention?, Aziza Jadallah, Usmaan Al-Shehab, Adam Friedman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diet is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends following a whole-food, minimally processed diet emphasizing fruit and vegetables to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Recently, processed plant-based meat substitutes, such as Beyond Meat® and Impossible™ foods have become easily accessible to consumers and are advertised as a healthful addition to a plant-based diet. However, these products are highly processed and contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of processed plant-based meat diets on adverse cardiovascular events compared to animal-based meat diets and minimally processed healthful …

Igfbp2 Expressing Midlobular Hepatocytes Preferentially Contribute To Liver Homeostasis And Regeneration, Yu-Hsuan Lin, Yonglong Wei, Qiyu Zeng, Yunguan Wang, Chase A Pagani, Lin Li, Min Zhu, Zixi Wang, Meng-Hsiung Hsieh, Natasha Corbitt, Yu Zhang, Tripti Sharma, Tao Wang, Hao Zhu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although midlobular hepatocytes in zone 2 are a recently identified cellular source for liver homeostasis and regeneration, these cells have not been exclusively fate mapped. We generated an Igfbp2-CreER knockin strain that specifically labels midlobular hepatocytes. During homeostasis over 1 year, zone 2 hepatocytes increased in abundance from occupying 21%-41% of the lobular area. After either pericentral injury with carbon tetrachloride or periportal injury with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC), IGFBP2+ cells replenished lost hepatocytes in zones 3 and 1, respectively. IGFBP2+ cells also preferentially contributed to regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy, as well as liver growth during pregnancy. Because IGFBP2 labeling increased …

Dimeric P53 Mutant Elicits Unique Tumor-Suppressive Activities Through An Altered Metabolic Program, Jovanka Gencel-Augusto, Xiaoping Su, Yuan Qi, Elizabeth M Whitley, Vinod Pant, Shunbin Xiong, Vrutant Shah, Jerome Lin, Encarnacion Perez, Marta L Fiorotto, Iqbal Mahmud, Abhinav K Jain, Philip L Lorenzi, Nicholas E Navin, Ellen R Richie, Guillermina Lozano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer-related alterations of the p53 tetramerization domain (TD) abrogate wild-type (WT) p53 function. They result in a protein that preferentially forms monomers or dimers, which are also normal p53 states under basal cellular conditions. However, their physiologic relevance is not well understood. We have established in vivo models for monomeric and dimeric p53, which model Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients with germline p53 TD alterations. p53 monomers are inactive forms of the protein. Unexpectedly, p53 dimers conferred some tumor suppression that is not mediated by canonical WT p53 activities. p53 dimers upregulate the PPAR pathway. These activities are associated with lower prevalence …

Adiposity-Associated Atrial Fibrillation: Molecular Determinants, Mechanisms, And Clinical Significance, Monika Gawałko, Arnela Saljic, Na Li, Issam Abu-Taha, Thomas Jespersen, Dominik Linz, Stanley Nattel, Jordi Heijman, Anke Fender, Dobromir Dobrev

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Obesity is an important contributing factor to the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its complications by causing systemic changes, such as altered haemodynamic, increased sympathetic tone, and low-grade chronic inflammatory state. In addition, adipose tissue is a metabolically active organ that comprises various types of fat deposits with discrete composition and localization that show distinct functions. Fatty tissue differentially affects the evolution of AF, with highly secretory active visceral fat surrounding the heart generally having a more potent influence than the rather inert subcutaneous fat. A variety of proinflammatory, profibrotic, and vasoconstrictive mediators are secreted by adipose tissue, particularly …

Nicotinamide Riboside And Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Activate Parallel Pathways For C. Elegans Lifespan Extension, Mckenzie Peters

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) extends lifespan in the nematode C. elegans and delays aging-related pathologies in mammals. During aging, levels of NAD⁺ decline causing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative damage. Studies in C. elegans found that when NR was administered during larval development it induced the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR^mt), which is frequently associated with lifespan extension. Both calorie restriction (CR) and ketogenic diets (KD) have been shown to extend lifespan, in part through increasing NAD⁺ and through increasing levels …

Nutrition Needs Assessment For Women Of Childbearing Age With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Callie Coleman, Whitney Bignell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women’s menstrual cycles, androgen (male hormones) levels, and cysts on the ovaries. This endocrine disorder has various symptoms, with insulin resistance as a hallmark symptom. Approximately 65-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, whether or not they are overweight, obese, or lean (Marshall & Dunaif, 2012). Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because their excess weight is related to nutrition, lifestyle factors, and imbalanced hormones. Understanding PCOS as a metabolic disorder with nutritional implications led to investigating the potential benefit of having registered dietitian nutritionists …

School-Based Study To Assess The Nutritional Status (Bmi Based) Of Adolescents Of Gojra City Of District Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan, Shagufta Perveen, Rozina Karmaliani, Rubina Barolia, Rozina Mistry

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Adolescence is the make-or-break stage of life. Major physical, mental, and psychological growth takes place at this age. Adequate and balanced nutrition is a vital requirement to support this phase. Adolescents living in developing and low-income countries are more likely to face nutritional challenges. Poor nutritional status during adolescence is an important determinant of health outcomes.
Objective: To analyze the nutritional status (BMI based) of school-going adolescents in Gojra city, Punjab, Pakistan.
Methods: A school-based cross-sectional survey was carried out covering 635 (6-8 grade) school-going adolescents (boys and girls) from public schools in Gojra city. Data were collected through anthropometric …

The Presence Of Childhood Obesity In Nebraska And The Physiological Repercussions Of The Disease, Madison R. Bezousek

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Childhood Obesity can cause lifelong repercussions in children and adults. There has been stigma around the causes of obesity and its relation to lifestyle choices, without consideration of the genetic and syndromic causes. In this literature review the causes of obesity were investigated, along with the effect on the physiological systems and the enviornmental factors that are continuing the obesity epidemic. Preventing and treating lifestyle obesity is something that is seen to have the greatest effect on youth, especially with intergenerational obesity. Nebraska schools have implemented programs to encourage healthy living, and ongoing research is being implemented to reduce the …

Oxygen Consumption In Highly Skilled Baseball Pitchers, Jesse Clingman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to describe the physiological demands of highly skilled baseball pitchers during pitching, along with pitch metrics. Three junior college and three professional (n = 6) baseball pitchers participated in this study. Participants completed a graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and estimated body fat percentage, height, and body mass were measured on day one of testing. Next, participants faced live batters on a baseball field while wearing a portable metabolic analyzer (Cosmed K5) to measure respiratory gases including oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide produced (VCO2) …

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Proposed Mechanisms Of Pathophysiology And The Underlying Dysregulation Of Brain-Gut Interaction, Hailey Haddix

Senior Honors Theses

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract affecting approximately 11-21% of people worldwide (Xiao et al., 2021). This research focuses on the dysregulation of gut homeostasis in IBS and explains how the pathophysiology of the gut is controlled by the bidirectional brain-gut axis. The mechanisms of the brain-gut axis consist of neuro-immune cross talk, neuro-hormone cross talk, microbiome-gut signaling, and the HPA-axis. Each of these contribute to one or more of the possible phenotypes of gut pathophysiology, which could include intestinal permeability, visceral hypersensitivity, and motility disturbance (Xiao et al., 2021). Stress is also an important …