Digital Commons Network^™

Amelioration Of Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysfunction In Diabetes Mellitus: Delving Into Specialized And Non-Specific Therapeutics For The Ailing Heart, Andrya Jean Durr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Morbidity and mortality of the diabetic population is influenced by many confounding factors, but cardiovascular disease (CVD), remains the leading cause of death. Mitochondrial dysfunction is central in the development of cardiac contractile dysfunction, with decreased mitochondrial bioenergetic function, increased dependence on free fatty acid utilization, and a decrease in glucose utilization having been shown to contribute to contractile dysfunction. Strategies targeting the amelioration of mitochondrial bioenergetic function are attractive for limiting diabetes-induced heart failure, and preserving health-span. The goals of this dissertation were to assess two mitochondrial-centric approaches for the amelioration of mitochondrial and cardiac contractile dysfunction in diabetes …

Effects Of Mindfulness And Stress Management On Neurocardiovascular And Psychological Outcomes, Aditi P. Vyas

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

There has been a higher prevalence of developing anxiety due to frequent episodes of stress among adults in recent years. Chronic anxiety can contribute to the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. High anxiety and stress also contribute to overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system which can be quantified by increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Sympathetic overactivation can lead to vasoconstriction and loss of arterial elasticity. Anxiety, MSNA, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness are all interconnected, thus studying these relationships is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non-pharmacological and mind-body …

Supplemental Peer Instruction In Physiologic Core Concept Education, Austin Choat

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The objective of my thesis project was to create and research the importance of supplemental learning videos within core physiological concepts identified by the Advancement of Physiological Principles for the purpose of assisting Dr. Kim Hansen in better educating students with less extensive foundational knowledge of chemical and biological sciences. Through researching the benefits of peer instruction, identifying core physiological concepts crucial to wholistic physiology education, and describing a student population hypothesized to benefit substantially from the work, I created educational videos to aid Dr. Hansen in her work as an educator and in the educational research she is striving …

Microglia Distribution In The Lateral Ventricles Following Treatment Of Lysolecithin Model Of Multiple Sclerosis, Spencer James Wilson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects an estimated one million people in the US alone (Wallin et al., 2019). We modeled MS in rats using lysolecithin injection into the corpus callosum to diminish motor function unilaterally through demyelination, meanwhile treating the injury with Fluoxetine, Ibuprofen, and ascorbic acid (FIAA) to increase neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis. Motor function was assessed using the Montoya Staircase test pre- and post-surgery. Motor capabilities recovered in the contralateral limb, but not in the ipsilateral, and recovery was not significantly affected by treatment. We identified microglia by CX3CR1 and examined its distribution in the adult neurogenic niche, the SVZ …

Strong Inferences About Pain In Invertebrates Require Stronger Evidence, Edgar T. Walters

Animal Sentience

Evidence for sentience in animals distantly related to humans is often sought in observations of behavioral and neural responses to noxious stimuli that would be painful in humans. Most proposed criteria for painful sentience in “lower” animals such as decapod crustaceans have no necessary links to the affective (“suffering”) component of pain. The best evidence for painful affect in animals is learned aversion to stimuli associated with noxious experience, and conditioned preference for contexts associated with relief from aversive consequences of noxious experience, as expressed in voluntary behavior. Such evidence is currently lacking for any invertebrate except octopus.

The Mechanisms Of Axon Initial Segment Alteration Due To Disrupted Glucose Metabolism: A Potential Link To Cognitive Impairment, Duc Van Minh Nguyen

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive impairment is a serious global health issue due to its widely complicated pathologies that are linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Yet, detailed mechanisms of cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes are unknown. Evidence suggests type 2 diabetes is associated with disrupted glucose metabolism, elevated methylglyoxal, and axon initial segment (AIS) shortening. Subtle changes of AIS could significantly contribute to neuronal dysfunction in neurological diseases (e.g., cognitive impairment). Utilizing in vitro dissociated mouse cortical cultures, we initially discovered elevated methylglyoxal shortens the AIS length of the immunofluorescent marker AnkyrinG (Griggs et al., 2021). This thesis further …

Fertility Control Options For Management Of Free-Roaming Horse Populations, Ursula S. Bechert, John W. Turner Jr., Dan L. Baker, Douglas C. Eckery, Jason E. Bruemmer, Candace C. Lyman, Tulio M. Prado, Sarah R. B. King, Mark A. Fraker

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The management of free-roaming horses (Equus ferus) and burros (E. asinus) in the United States has been referred to as a “wicked problem” because, although there are population control options, societal values will ultimately determine what is acceptable and what is not. In the United States, free-roaming equids are managed by different types of organizations and agencies, and the landscapes that these animals inhabit vary widely in terms of access, size, topography, climate, natural resources, flora, and fauna. This landscape diversity, coupled with contemporary socioeconomic and political environments, means that adaptive management practices are needed to …

A Perfect Storm?: The Association Of Vitamin D With Injury Prevalence Among Acrobatics & Tumbling Athletes, K Lee, A Gallucci, L Funderburk, L Cherpe De Souza, L Irvin, E Boyer

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T) was recently placed on the NCAA’s emerging sports list. Due to the novelty of the sport, limited research related to injury prevalence and correlates are available. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the sport presents with high injury rates and associated costs. Information related to causes and prevalence of injury would help ATs working in the collegiate setting. Increased understanding of injury and its correlates in this population may allow ATs to provide better care. Objective: To examine descriptive injury data of acrobatics and tumbling athletes and evaluate the relationship between serum vitamin D, injury and time …

Comparison Of The Closed Shoulder Reduction Techniques: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Kaitlin Sznajder, Dylan Arango, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The shoulder joint is one of the most dislocated joints in the body. It does not have substantial bony support which allows for a large range of motion. Shoulder joints most commonly dislocate anteriorly, and less often dislocate posteriorly and inferiorly. There is a myriad of ways to reduce a shoulder dislocation including closed and open techniques. The purpose of this evidence-to-practice review is to summarize which closed shoulder reduction techniques are most effective and apply those results to an athletic training setting. The authors of this guiding systematic review studied multiple articles that compared different closed shoulder reduction techniques …

Recommendation For Best Practices In The Management Of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Laura M. Kehr, Dylan C. Rowe, Rylee M. Learn, Allison B. Smith, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

While musculoskeletal (MSK) pain conditions are some of the most common health issues faced internationally, the quality of patient care with MSK pain is lacking. Problems with MSK care include the overuse of imaging, surgery, opioids, and failure to educate patients. Improving the quality of care for MSK conditions is considered a priority for all involved healthcare clinicians. The 2019 guiding systematic review addressed the concerns of MSK management by identifying common recommendations for high-quality care through appraisals of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Data was extracted from four databases and included articles examining the most common sites of MSK pain …

Characteristics Of Sickle Cell Trait Policies And Procedures At Ncaa Division Iii Institutions, M A. Eilers, B J. Warner, D M. Gallegos, J A. Clark, S A. Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: In 2010, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a proposal addressing sickle cell trait screening. This proposal later became a policy that required student-athletes in their first year of eligibility to provide their institution with accurate information regarding their sickle cell trait status. There does not appear to be a recent study published that has examined the sickle cell trait screening policy and procedures currently being used by NCAA Division III Institutions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of sickle cell trait policies and procedures at NCAA Division III institutions. Methods: We used …

Beyond Cortisol: Indicators Of Stress And Negative Feedback In Plasma And Blubber Of Marine Mammals, Jessica Avalos

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Marine mammals play an important role in ecosystem stability. However, anthropogenic activity is compounding pressure on many already vulnerable populations. A potential consequence of anthropogenic disturbance is physiological stress, which can impact metabolism, immunity, and reproduction, especially if it occurs repeatedly. Previous studies on marine mammals have focused on acute stress, but the impacts of repeated stress are poorly understood. Due to its accessibility on land during haul-outs, the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a good system in which to study the effects of stress in marine mammals. Stress stimulates the release of glucocorticoid hormones, primarily cortisol. Elevated cortisol …

Analysis Of The Antimicrobial Activity Of The Novel Chemotherapeutic Drug, Tpp1, Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And The Hydrogel Delivery Of Water-Soluble Antimicrobial Compounds, Alex Gasper

Senior Independent Study Theses

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and it is commonly linked with bacterial infections that often complicate treatments. Recently, chemotherapeutics have been developed that are able to act as anti-cancer agents using delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) that are able to specifically target mitochondrial membranes of cancer cells. TPP1 is a newly developed chemotherapeutic drug that has activity against bladder cancer and melanoma cell lines in vitro. In order to determine if TPP1 has antimicrobial activity, TPP1 was tested against a common bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to determine if antimicrobial activity was present. This testing was …

The Role Of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Β (Gsk-3Β) At The Cardiac Myofilament, Marisa Jean Stachowski

Dissertations

Altered kinase activity and localization is gaining appreciation as a mechanism contributing to cardiovascular disease. Previous work suggests that the kinase glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK-3β) regulates contractile function of the myofilament, but this work was performed in vitro. The goal of this work was to investigate GSK-3β’s in vivo role in regulating myofilament function, the mechanisms involved, and the translational relevance in disease. GSK-3β’s myofilament localization was confirmed in wild type mouse and human tissue via western blot of myofilament enriched tissue and immunofluorescence. These experiments also revealed that GSK-3β phosphorylated at Y216 binds to the z-disc. We …

Casting And Splinting Options For Pseudo-Jones Avulsion Fractures: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Amber M. Kingsley, Aysha B. Reyes, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone occur when a portion of the bone is broken or pulled off the rest of the bone. These fractures are often seen in athletes, especially those of a young age. Avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone are commonly treated non-surgically with immobilization of the foot. There are several different options for immobilization of the foot with no clear result as to which immobilization method is the most effective. The purpose of this evidence-to-practice review was to summarize a systematic review on comparative outcomes of immobilization interventions on avulsion fractures of the fifth …

Conservative Care Of A Patient With Initial Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Participating In An Intercollegiate Basketball: A Disablement Model Case Study, Lucas Bianco

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

A 23-year-old male patient participating in intercollegiate basketball, suffered an acute shoulder dislocation. The patient was diagnosed with an anterior glenohumeral labral tear and was treated with an indirect approach to increase range of motion (ROM) and function while decreasing pain. Patient-related outcome (PRO) measures were used along with clinician related outcome (CRO) measures to discharge the patient. The immediate changes in ROM and pain along with follow-up assessments of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) Scale achieved Minimal Clinically Importance Difference (MCID) levels. As rehabilitation specialists, athletic trainers have the opportunity to provide quality care to patients …

Graston Technique® Combined With Therapeutic Intervention As An Alternative Treatment For A Grade Iii Ucl Thumb Sprain: A Disablement Model Case Study, Raul Anaya Jr., Kim Bacalla, Annette D. Monk

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Nonoperative measures have been shown to have positive effects on thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprains considered less than complete. This case presents evidence supporting Graston Technique® (GT) plus therapeutic exercise in order to decrease pain and stiffness in a collegiate football athlete who sustained a grade III UCL sprain. The results showed that there was a reduction in pain level above the minimal clinically importance difference, and ROM improved throughout the three-week intervention. The findings of this case study provide minimal support for an alternative treatment to reduce pain and stiffness in a grade III UCL sprain, with further …

Quality Improvement: Implementation Of Individualized Concussion Patient Education And Rehabilitation Treatment Plans, Briana Burgette, Tamara C. Valovich Mcleod

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Concussion is a significant health issue at all levels of sports participation. At Saint Luke’s Health System (SLHS) in Kansas City, Missouri, the sports medicine and concussion team discovered an issue with dissemination of patient education for concussion rehabilitation plans. A quality improvement project was launched in August 2019 to develop concussion educational rehabilitation plans, incorporating cluster symptoms into concussion profiles and improving communication during follow-up care. The project promoted improvement of patient understanding of individualized rehabilitation plans and effective communication for the treatment management team. Three cycles of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement project were completed over 6 months. …

Hiring Practices Among Ncaa Division Ii Head Athletic Trainers, B J. Warner, Z K. Winkelmann, S A. Cage, D M. Gallegos, L E. Trail

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: To the authors’ knowledge, there are few studies on how athletic trainers (ATs) are hired by NCAA institutions. Current legislation protects many demographics from discrimination during hiring, but these laws may not be enforced by institutions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe factors that might influence the hiring practices of NCAA Division II Head Athletic Trainers. Methods: We used a web-based survey (Qualtrics) that was distributed to by email to 278 NCAA Division II Head Athletic Trainers. A total of 96 ATs completed the survey (response and completion rate=34.5%). The survey included a prompt for hiring …

Suspension Training As An Effective Intervention To Improve Core Stability: A Critically Appraised Topic, S Stiltner, M Boham, D Melrose

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Clinical Scenario: The core is a functional unit connecting the upper and lower extremities consisting of abdominal, back, and hip musculature. Core stability is a determining factor in patient motor performance and provides optimal force production and precision of movement. A highly functional core is essential in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Traditional means of core stability training are performed on a stable surface. Emerging research suggests patients may benefit from core stability training on unstable mediums such as is used with suspension training. Clinical Question: Does suspension training improve core activity in an active population? Search Strategy: Key words used …

Impact Of A Virtual Education Presentation On Perceived And Actual Knowledge Of Cupping Therapy Among Athletic Trainers, S A. Cage, D L. Gill, P K. Brown, R Schmitz, B J. Warner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Within the athletic training profession, there are continuing education requirements in order to maintain national certification. Although the profession mandates completion of continuing education, little research has assessed the effectiveness of continuing education interventions. Furthermore, there has been even less research conducted on the effectiveness of virtual continuing education interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a virtual continuing education presentation on perceived and actual knowledge of cupping therapy among certified athletic trainers. Methods: 31 certified athletic trainers began this study (age = 38 ± 11, years of credentialed experience = 15 ± 11). …

Hiring Practices Among Ncaa Division Iii Head Athletic Trainers, J P. Goza, S A. Cage, Z K. Winkelmann, B J. Warner, M Mckenney

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Limited empirical evidence exists on how athletic trainers (ATs) are hired by NCAA institutions. Current legislation protects many demographics from discrimination during hiring, but these laws may not be enforced by institutions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe potential factors that might influence the hiring practices of NCAA Division III Head Athletic Trainers. Methods: We used a web-based survey (Qualtrics) that was distributed by email to 329 NCAA Division III Head Athletic Trainers. A total of 114 ATs completed the survey (response and completion rate=34.7%). The survey included a prompt for hiring an assistant athletic trainer …

Anisocoria As The Sole Initial Symptom Of Concussion In A Collegiate Volleyball Player: A Case Report, I Hopper, B J. Warner, M Mckenney, R M. Galbraith, C Cox, S A. Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: A 21-year-old female collegiate volleyball player reported to the athletic training staff after a competition upon noticing that her pupils were unequal. The patient stated that she was not experiencing any other signs or symptoms that would indicate a concussion, but did recall striking her head on the court during pre-competition warmups. The patient reported no previous history of concussion or eye injury. Further evaluation did not reveal any issues with the patient’s reflexes, balance, or memory. At this time, the decision was made to preemptively withhold the patient from participating in athletic activities so she could be monitored …

Herpes Zoster As An Incidental Finding During Treatment For Thoracic Back Pain In A Collegiate Baseball Player, L E. Trail, B J. Warner, R L. Peebles, R M. Galbraith, C Cox, S A. Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: A 21-year-old male collegiate baseball pitcher reported to the athletic training staff complaining of thoracic back pain when throwing during the non-traditional season. The patient did not recall a specific mechanism of injury, and noted that his pain had gradually increased over time. The patient reported no previous history of thoracic or lumbar spine injury. Further evaluation revealed multiple myofascial adhesions that did not resolve with conservative treatments. After the failure of conservative treatment, the patient was referred to the team physician for further evaluation.. Differential Diagnosis: Myofascial adhesions, Rib subluxation, Thoracic Disc Herniation Treatment: Upon referral, the team …

The Effects Of Fatigue On Landing Impact Forces And Postural Steadiness In Collegiate Volleyball Players, Zebadiah P. Boos

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: The onset of exhaustion can reduce the performance of an athlete and may add to the risk of injury. This establishes the necessity to understand when and how the athlete’s performance is altered as they become fatigued in competition or practice. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fatigue on dynamic and static tasks in collegiate volleyball athletes by implementing a fatiguing jump protocol. Methods: To replicate an in-game or in-practice situation, five sets of 30 countermovement jumps (CMJ) at 85% maximal height was implemented. Prior to the fatigue protocol, a baseline measure of CMJ …

Comparative Genomics, Evolutionary Epidemiology, And Rbd-Hace2 Receptor Binding Pattern In B.1.1.7 (Alpha) And B.1.617.2 (Delta) Related To Their Pandemic Response In Uk And India, Chiranjib Chakraborty, Ashish Ranjan Sharma, Manojit Bhattacharya, Bidyut Mallik, Shyam Sundar Nandi, Sang-Soo Lee

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

BACKGROUND: The massive increase in COVID-19 infection had generated a second wave in India during May-June 2021 with a critical pandemic situation. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was a significant factor during the second wave. Conversely, the UK had passed through the crucial phase of the pandemic from November to December 2020 due to B.1.1.7. The study tried to comprehend the pandemic response in the UK and India to the spread of the B.1.1.7 (Alpha, UK) variant and B.1.617.2 (Delta, India) variant.

METHODS: This study was performed in three directions to understand the pandemic response of the two emerging variants. First, …

Time-Dependent Alteration In The Chemoreflex Post-Acute Lung Injury, Kajal Kamra, Nikolay Karpuk, Ryan Adam, Irving H. Zucker, Harold D. Schultz, Han-Jun Wang

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Acute lung injury (ALI) induces inflammation that disrupts the normal alveolar-capillary endothelial barrier which impairs gas exchange to induce hypoxemia that reflexively increases respiration. The neural mechanisms underlying the respiratory dysfunction during ALI are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the chemoreflex in mediating abnormal ventilation during acute (early) and recovery (late) stages of ALI. We hypothesized that the increase in respiratory rate (fR) during post-ALI is mediated by a sensitized chemoreflex. ALI was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using a single intra-tracheal injection of bleomycin (Bleo: low-dose = 1.25 mg/Kg or …

Design And Validation Of Artificial Feeders To Study Feeding Preferences And Growth Of Hematophagous Juvenile Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus), Gracie Li-Ting-Wai

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The parasitic and invasive land-locked sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus populations contributed to the collapse of the Great Lakes fisheries in the mid-1900s, while native anadromous populations are currently under threat and require conservation efforts for protection. Despite the increasing concern for both populations of this species, the juvenile stage of the sea lamprey’s life cycle has not been well studied. This is due, in part, to ethical concerns raised around holding live host fish with juveniles and the lack of an alternative feeding method to maintain these juveniles in the laboratory. The feeder should be designed to minimize fouling of …

Using The Mulligan Mobilization With Movement And Fibular Repositioning To Treat High School Patients With A Grade One Lateral Ankle Sprain, Alexander Zettlemoyer, Rich Patterson, Russell Baker, Alan Nasypany

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Ankle injuries are common among high school athletics with the highest incidence rates in boys and girls basketball and boys football. Novel treatment paradigms like the Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MWM) in conjunction with fibular repositioning tape have shown promising results in reducing pain, disability, and time lost due to lateral ankle sprains (LAS). However, research focusing on Mulligan treatment strategies and ankle swelling following a LAS is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this case series was to evaluate the combined effects of the MWM and fibular repositioning taping on swelling, function, and pain in high school patients with an …

Clinical Implications Of Telemedicine For Surgical Care: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Adam M. Hollien, Mary Catherine Avey, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Telemedicine is a newer concept in medicine that utilizes technological devices to provide care to patients. In a society already greatly advanced with technology, telemedicine is the new frontier in healthcare. Implementing telemedicine into current practices will benefit both the patient and the provider. The technology utilized with telemedicine has demonstrated promise by decreasing patient travel time, decreasing lost time from work, increasing patient interactions, and increasing interprofessional collaboration. The cost of implementation is minimal compared to the cost savings that will be accrued from utilizing this technology. There are many specialty areas in healthcare where telemedicine can be implemented …