Life Sciences Commons^™

Health Care Providers’ Experiences With Integrated Care Services Needed To Treat Patients With Type 3 Compared To Type 2 Diabetes, Sharon Hope Jaycox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Physiological Effects Of Acute And Ramp Hypoxic Exposure During Simulated Flight Tasks, Jasmin Renee Jenkins

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of hypoxia at simulated altitudes of FiO2 15.4% (8000’ equivalent), FiO2 13.2% (12,000’ equivalent), and a Ramp Hypoxic exposure on perceived workload, cardiovascular activity, electrodermal activity, oximetry, and flight simulator performance. A total of 17 participants (10 female & 7 males; mean ± SEM, age 24.82±1.6 yrs, BMI 25.87±1.0 who were apparently healthy, asymptomatic, and physically active performed 3 flight tasks using a video game head-mounted display (HMD) flight simulator while exposed to simulated altitudes of Normoxia, FiO2 15.4%, FiO2 13.2% and a Ramp Hypoxic Exposure (breathing at 8,000 …

The Effect Of Step Rate Training On Running Economy And Biomechanics, Nahir Negron-Fernandez

All NMU Master's Theses

It is known that running economy is a determinant of running performance. Increased step rate has been correlated with improved running economy, but it is unknown whether these improvements can be maintained with chronic training. The purpose of this study was to determine if a step rate training intervention improves running economy and improves lower body kinetic factors in distance runners. Nine participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 7) undergoing a 6-week supplemental training program, or a non-training control group (n = 2). The intervention group trained three times a week, running at a higher …

Effects Of Short-Term Pesticides Exposure On Swimming Behavior, Tissue Morphology, Oxidative-Nitrative Stress, Antioxidant Expression, And Cellular Apoptosis In Kidneys Of Goldfish, Esmirna Cantú

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of pesticides in the aquatic environment continues to increase due to anthropogenic activities and poses a threat to aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term exposure (one-week) of pesticide mixtures (metolachlor, linuron, isoproturon, tebucanazole, alconifen, atrazine, pendimethalin; azinphos-methyl) on swimming behaviors, kidney morphology, and expression of nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), renin, and cellular apoptosis in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Results indicated that both low- and high-dose pesticide mixtures decreased the distance swimming behavior. Histological analysis showed pesticide exposure alters kidney morphology. DNP, NTP, and renin expressions, and …

Osmoregulation And Appetite Regulation In A Basal Vertebrate, The Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus), Jessica Norstog

Doctoral Dissertations

Lamprey (Petromyontiformes) are the oldest extant family in the vertebrate lineage, providing a unique phylogenetic position for studies on vertebrate evolution. As a basal vertebrate, sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is an important species to understand evolution and comparative physiological mechanisms, including osmoregulation and appetite regulation. Sea lamprey has anadromous (native to the Atlantic Ocean) and landlocked (invasive in the Laurentian Great Lakes in North America) populations. In both populations of sea lamprey, the blind filter-feeding freshwater (FW) larvae burrow in stream sediments for until undergoing a hormonal-driven metamorphosis. During this phase, sea lamprey do not feed as major …

Effect Of Metabolic Rate On Mitochondrial Efficiency During Exercise In Human Skeletal Muscle In Vivo, Muhammet Enes Erol

Masters Theses

Introduction: Recent evidence in isolated mitochondria and permeabilized muscle fibers in ex vivo using simultaneous measurements of O₂ consumption and ATP production suggest that mitochondrial efficiency provides an additional mechanism to fine-tune oxidative phosphorylation rate to ATP demand in skeletal muscle. However, in the absence of a direct measurement of both VO₂ and ATP synthesis from the same region of the contracting muscle, whether this mechanism plays a role in the skeletal muscle in vivo is still unknown. Purpose: Using a noninvasive approach combining phosphorus and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P/¹H-MRS), the present study …

Effects Of Aging On Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption: A Preliminary Study, Steven Klepacz

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Aging and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is something that has not been adequately studied. Studies looking at EPOC mostly are compiled of young college age individuals. Aging in humans is a topic of much research with still more to be learned. The study in this paper attempts to answer the question of whether age affects EPOC when performing a certain exercise. Preliminary findings based on general age-related research suggest the possibility. This thesis will explore the current research related to age and EPOC, analyze the findings, and discuss additional avenues for future research.

Using Biometrics, Behavioral Observations, And Multiple Molecular Techniques To Assess The Impacts Of Changes In Temperature And Salinity On The Common Bay Mussel (Mytilus Trossulus), Casey Martin

Dissertations and Theses

The intertidal zone is a place of rapid and frequent change that is home to a variety of creatures who are essential to the integrity of the habitat. Mussels are robust sessile bivalves that anchor to the rocks of the intertidal. The prominent species on the Oregon Coast, the Common Bay Mussel (Mytilus trossulus), plays an essential role as a coastal food source, water column filter, and barrier to prevent erosion due to wave action. Mytilus trossulus withstands daily shifts in temperature, salinity, and tide, as well as seasonal changes. Global climate change due to excess carbon emissions …

Using Noninvasive Calibrated Cuff Plethysmography To Observe The Effects Of Cold-Water Immersion On Arterial Compliance, Rita M. Grigorian

Master's Theses

As the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to exponentially grow in populations across the globe, the necessity of determining underlying factors, effective methods of diagnoses, and universally available preventive measures also grows. Early detection of endothelial dysfunction, a proven precursor of cardiovascular diseases, can be extremely impactful in encouraging preventative measures and early intervention before medical conditions become chronic. In recent years, ice plunging, a form of cryotherapy involving full body immersion in cold water, has gained popularity within circles of fitness and health practitioners, gaining the interest of people of all backgrounds. Certain parallels observed between the human physiological …

Effect Of Acute Caffeine Ingestion On On-Field Performance In Division 1 Female Field Hockey Players, Nicole Danielle Fredricks

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

This study aimed to determine the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on on-field performance in collegiate female field hockey players. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, crossover experimental design was utilized. The participants (N=10) were female division 1 field hockey players (age: 20.0 ± 1.6 years). They competed in two 60-minute, off-season scrimmages separated by two weeks. They were randomly assigned to ingest the caffeine, 3 mg/kg of body weight, or placebo treatment 60 minutes before each scrimmage. They wore a PLAYERTEK (Catapult, Australia) global positioning system (GPS) device to track their total distance, sprint distances, power plays, and zone three and …

Dental Hygiene Students Reported Physiological Symptoms Associated With Wearing An N95 Respirator Mask, Peyton Shea Butler

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: Physiological symptoms and comfort levels while wearing an N95 respiratory mask has not been examined with dental hygienists. The purpose of this study was to investigate dental hygiene students reported physiological symptoms and comfort perception while wearing an N95 respirator mask during patient care appointments. Methods: After IRB approval (IRB #1987754-2), a 16-item questionnaire was distributed through email to a convenience sample of 65 dental hygiene students. Questions assessed respiratory, dermatologic, cardiac, mask mouth and general physiological symptoms, as well as comfort levels. Additionally, participants were asked to respond to demographic questions and one open ended question inquiring about …

The Influence Of Temperature, Prey Availability, And Population Of Origin On Ectotherm Energetics, Allison R. Litmer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate change poses threats to organisms regarding direct and indirect effects of warming temperatures. Laboratory studies and predictive models are useful for understanding how temperature influences organisms, and the future of species’ life history and persistence. This dissertation expands upon current approaches to thermal studies and climate models, while investigating effects of warming nighttime temperature and altered prey availability on individuals and populations. Lizards in the genus Sceloporus were used as model organisms, as they are broadly distributed with thermally sensitive physiologies. The first dissertation chapter conducted meta-analyses to examine temperature-induced changes in food consumption, activity, and life history. Prominent …

Climate Interactions Drive Tree Physiology And Growth In A Northeastern Forest Ecotone, Alexandra M. Barry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is a threat to global forest ecosystems. In the northeastern United States, forest trees are facing rising temperatures and increasingly inconsistent moisture regimes. In addition to long-term changes in climate conditions, there is concern about the potential for more frequent and intense climate extremes, which can have severe and rapid negative effects on tree physiology and growth. Further, climate extremes may co-occur to produce a greater magnitude of effect than the sum of their parts, with a prominent example being hot droughts, which are increasing in occurrence and severity. The impact of these and other extreme climate interactions …

Predicting Marine Teleost Responses To Ocean Warming And Pollution, Akila Harishchandra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ocean warming and pollution are two detrimental anthropogenic factors causing rapid marine ecosystem degradation recorded in the past decades. These factors alter the marine environment intolerable for many marine species, forcing them to either adapt or shift their contemporary habitat ranges to reduce the extinction risk embedded with environmental degradation. Estimating marine species’ habitat range shifts, and their potential for developing adaptive mechanisms are critical for ecosystem conservation and management, human health risk assessment, and climate change vulnerability assessments. Given that, for the first chapter of this thesis, we focused on developing a species distribution model (SDM) integrating marine species …

The Effects Of Resistance Exercise Training On Insulin Resistance Development In Female Rodents With Type 1 Diabetes, Mitchell James Sammut

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The etiology of insulin resistance (IR) development in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) remains unclear; however, impaired skeletal muscle metabolism may play a role. While IR development has been established in male T1DM rodents, female rodents have yet to be examined in this context. Resistance exercise training (RT) has been shown to improve IR and is associated with a lower risk of hypoglycemia onset in T1DM compared to aerobic exercise. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms mediating RT-induced improvements in insulin sensitivity remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RT on IR development in female …

Effect Of Rearing Conditions On The Allocation Of Larval And Adult Acquired Essential And Nonessential Fatty Acids To Flight In Two Adult Lepidoptera: Danaus Plexippus And Mythimna Unipuncta, Libesha Anparasan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Insects which are nectivorous as adults acquire essential fatty acids, which are important for many biological processes, almost exclusively from the larval diet. Thus, adult allocation of this limited resource may result in trade-offs in migrant insects that delay reproduction. I used the true armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta, and monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, to test the hypothesis that environmental cues (fall migratory or summer reproductive) would influence the use of fatty acids during flight (0-6h). I used larval and adult diets manipulated isotopically (δ¹³C) and chromatographic analyses to determine fatty acid composition and source in the fat …

A Quantification Of The Metabolic Demand Wrought By Explosive Ordinance Disposal Load Carriage, Gage Cousineau

Online Theses and Dissertations

In the last 7 years, there have been landmark studies concerning Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) load carriage. These studies (Bach et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2022) have worked to quantify the ability of an operator to work while encumbered by EOD personal protective equipment (PPE), but have not evaluated possible sources of mitigation for the increased demand. Intuitively, it seems that greater levels of fitness would modify the degree of increased demand an operator may acquire during EOD load carriage. The current study seeks to illuminate relationships between strength, power, and/or endurance and EOD load carriage performance. Recreationally trained …

The Effect Of Central Chemoreceptors On The Peripheral Respiratory Chemoreflex Response To Hypoxia In Humans, Nasimi A. Guluzade

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

We measured the peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity to hypoxia (PChS) at various isocapnic carbon dioxide tensions (PCO₂) to determine the form of the relationship between PChS and central PCO₂. Twenty participants completed three repetitions of modified rebreathing tests with end-tidal PO₂ (P_ETO₂) clamped at 150, 70, 60, and 45 mmHg. PChS was computed at 1-mmHg intervals of P_ETCO₂ as follows: the differences in V̇_E between the three hypoxic profiles and the hyperoxic profile (∆V̇_E) were calculated; three ∆V̇_E values were plotted against corresponding calculated oxyhemoglobin …

Effectiveness Of Intervention Studies Based On Diet And/Or Physical Activity In Treatment, Prevention, And Management Of Diabetes Among South Asians: A Systematic Review, Ishaan Arora

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe diet and/or physical activity-based interventions and their control in cardiometabolic risk factors of diabetes for the South Asian (SA) population. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Seventeen randomized control trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. Interventions with type-2 diabetic SA showed significant improvements in HbA1c% (4/5 studies), fasting blood glucose (3/4 studies), and postprandial glucose (2/2 studies). Interventions with at-risk/prediabetic and non-diabetic SA showed a modest change in overall outcomes, with significant change reported for post-prandial insulin (3/4 studies), BMI and weight (2/4 studies), …

Role Of Fat Content On The Structure And Function Of Human Skeletal Muscle, Joseph A. Gordon Iii

Doctoral Dissertations

Muscle size does not fully explain variations in muscle strength. Fat content has been implicated in muscle weakness, though this relationship remains unclear. The relationship between fat and strength may vary between scales (e.g., cellular, organ, and organism). The goal of this dissertation was to clarify the role of fat in the structure and function of muscle using in vitro and in vivo techniques across multiple scales in adults 21-45 years old. Study 1 tested the agreement of intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content between oil red o (ORO) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques. These measures of IMCL were also compared …

The Importance Of Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, And Electrophysiological Testing In Clinical And Occupational Settings, Frances Silva

Theses & Dissertations

Visual acuity (VA) is universally accepted as the gold standard metric for ocular vision and function. Contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and electrophysiological testing for clinical and occupational settings are warranted despite being deemed ancillary and minimally utilized by clinicians. These assessments provide essential information to subjectively and objectively quantify and obtain optimal functional vision. They are useful for baseline data and monitoring hereditary and progressive ocular conditions and cognitive function. The studies in this dissertation highlight the value of contrast sensitivity, color vision, and cone specific electrophysiological testing, as well as the novel metrics obtained with potential practical clinical …

Shedding In The Timber Rattlesnake: Natural Patterns, Endocrinological Underpinnings, Temporal And Energetic Effort, And Integration As A Reptilian Life History Trait, Maxwell D. Carnes-Mason

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The semi-frequent replacement of the epidermis (ecdysis) is a characteristic trait of reptiles. Whereas all reptiles regularly engage in some degree of skin shedding, skin morphology in snakes necessitates the synchronous replacement of the entire epidermis and facilitates the subsequent removal of the old layer as a single sheet. To date, the ubiquitous process has garnered little attention from researchers because snakes shed with unpredictable timing and frequency and are exceedingly cryptic during ecdytic cycles; previously impeding detailed physiological or ecological investigations of the process in the clade. Because of the lack of study, ecdysis is often viewed as a …

The Role Of E-Liquid Constituents In E-Cigarette-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmia And Autonomic Imbalance., Cory Kucera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction. Accumulating evidence indicates that exposure to electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) promotes sympathetic dominance and electrophysiologic instability in the heart, potentially culminating in arrhythmogenesis. E-liquids contain various formulations of nicotine and flavorings, but the effects of specific e-liquid constituents and their concentrations on e-cig-induced autonomic imbalance and electrical dysfunction are unresolved. To that end, we tested the hypothesis that e-cigs modify cardiac autonomic balance and ventricular arrhythmogenesis in mice dependent on e-liquid constituent type and concentration. Methods. Using a crossover design and a serial exposure regimen, ECG-telemetered male C57BL/6J mice underwent whole-body exposure to e-cig aerosols generated from e-liquids containing different …

Survey Of How Irregularities In The Electrical System Of The Human Heart Link To Different Heart Arrhythmias, Jazmine Boloor

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis explores the circuital pathway that a signal takes within the heart throughout a full heartbeat and provides a timing analysis. It then surveys the different pathways that could arise in the electrical system of the heart, and the associated heart diseases linked to the location of each pathway. Common heart arrhythmias such as atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation are surveyed, and their pathways are analyzed. Electrocardiograms are presented to aid in understanding of the timing analysis associated with irregularity in heart function. Finally, this thesis explores an avenue of the heartbeat …

Effects Of Chewing Time On Gastrointestinal Discomfort, Substrate Use, And Performance During Running, Thomas Geaney

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Previous research has shown that food particle size affects gastric processing. For example, food particles greater than 3 mm may delay gastric emptying under certain conditions. Delays in gastric emptying can be problematic during aerobic exercise, leading to nausea, bloating, fullness, and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. In some cases, symptoms can be severe enough to negatively affect athletic performance. This study investigated the effects of manipulating chewing duration of carbohydrate sports bars on GI discomfort, physiological responses, and performance during endurance running. This crossover study recruited 12 male runners (age: 36.4 ± 7.2 years, VO_2peak: 57.2 ± 4.7 …

The Sympathetic Neural Control Of The Circulation At Rest And During Exercise: Effects Of Age, Biological Sex, And Sex Hormones, Andrew W. D'Souza

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall objective of this dissertation was to determine the impact of age, sex, and sex hormones on the discharge behaviours of muscle sympathetic action potentials (APs) as well as the corresponding changes in peripheral vasoconstriction and blood pressure at rest and during exercise. The microneurographic technique was employed to record multi-unit muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), with a continuous wavelet transform applied post-hoc to evaluate APs within the recorded neurogram. Study One examined the impact of aging on the central and peripheral arcs of the sympathetic baroreflex under resting conditions. This study revealed that middle-aged-to-older adults demonstrated heightened sympathetic …

Does Acute Maximal Exercise Or Chronic Physical Activity Affect Circulating Angiotensin (1-9) Concentrations?, Kyle R. Weiman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction: Epidemiological evidence suggests physical inactivity can increase the likelihood of hospitalization from the SARS-COV-2 virus. Further, some data indicate a greater ratio of angiotensin 1-9 to angiotensin I helps prevent severe outcomes during infection. Moreover, related hormones can enhance potentially both physical activity and health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma concentrations of angiotensin (1-9) are modified after a single exhaustive exercise bout and whether sex or chronic physical activity is associated with greater plasma concentrations.

Methods: Participants (n=14) performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Antecubital area venipunctures were performed before, immediately …

The Effect Of Dietary Thiaminase On Cardiac Function And Morphology In Lake Trout (Salvelinus Namaycush), Peter Baker

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thiamine deficiency from the consumption of invasive, high-thiaminase prey fishes is considered to be a major barrier for lake trout restoration in the Great Lakes. In fishes, an understudied aspect of thiamine deficiency is its effect on cardiac function. I examined the effects of dietary thiaminase on cardiac function and morphology in lake trout, specifically as they relate to thermal tolerance. Two hatchery strains of lake trout (Seneca and Slate) were raised on a control or thiaminase diet for nine months. The thiaminase diet was associated with significant ventricle enlargement, impaired cardiac function, and reduced thermal tolerance; these effects were …

Resistance Training And Running Performance And Economy: A Literature Review, James Bottrill

University Honors Theses

Running performance is largely determined by maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max), velocity at VO₂ max, fractional utilisation of VO₂ max and running economy. Running economy is relatively under-researched and could be improved by resistance training because of its neuromuscular underpinnings. However, existing research on this topic is quite unorganised and inconclusive and is yet to prove a direct linkage between resistance training, running economy and performance. This literature review aimed to provide an organised overview of the existing literature, identify and address confounding variables and provide recommendations for future research. A search for studies was conducted via …

Local Forearm Heating Does Not Alter Concentrations Of Circulating Notch1 Ecd And Hspg/Cd44, Khushali Shrenik Parikh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Endothelial dysfunction underlies the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. While advances have been made for treatment and management, many gaps in knowledge remain. Recently, heat therapy has gained attention for improving vascular endothelial function, tenably through increases in antegrade shear stress (SS). However, no study has examined the molecular mechanisms associated with SS and heating. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine how local forearm heating may impact Notch1 and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan (HSPG), which are transmembrane endothelial mechanosensors essential for preserving endothelial integrity and signalling. We hypothesized that 40-minutes of increased antegrade SS from forearm heating will increase …