Physiology Commons^™

Sarcopenia And The Importance Of Resistance Training And Protein-Rich Diets For Prevention Of Muscle Loss In Older Adults: A Literature Review And Informational Pamphlet, Madison Steele

Honors Theses

The growing prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults as well as youths has prompted further research aimed at developing effective preventative measures and treatment plans. Sarcopenia is often thought to occur solely due to aging, but several other factors contribute to progressive muscle loss. Previous research studies have found an effect of physical activity and dietary protein levels on the risk of developing sarcopenia as well as its onset age. This study aims to review existing knowledge in the field to compile an extensive list of sarcopenia causes and methods of prevention. The main causes identified in this review are …

Cortisol Production In Female Soccer Players, Katelyn Seagraves

ASPIRE 2024

Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands when there is an apparent stressor. Exercise, while beneficial, is seen as stress to the body and incites increased cortisol release. Cortisol is known to increase with exercise, and higher-intensity exercise tends to raise cortisol more compared to lower intensities. However, less is known about interval training and cortisol concentrations.

This review of literature dives into the background of cortisol: how it's produced, what systems it regulates, and differences in production based on gender, stressors, exercise intensity, and duration. This paper identifies some knowledge gaps and links training intensities in soccer to cortisol …

Health-Promoting Benefits Of Lentils: Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Microbial Effects, Rachel Alexander, Abdullah Khaja, Nicholas Debiec, Alex Fazioli, Mary Torrance, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

This paper describes how lentils (Lens culinaris species) can positively affect health by reducing inflammation, providing antioxidants, and displaying antimicrobial properties. Lentils are rich in proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, and fibers, making them a valuable source of nutrition, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Lentils have many health benefits, including positive effects on diabetes management, support for cardiovascular health, and antioxidative properties. The antioxidative properties of lentils, attributed to their phenolic content, and their ability to inhibit inflammation-related enzymes are also discussed. We discuss the potential of lentils as a dietary tool in promoting immunity, reducing disease burdens, …

Effectiveness Of Probiotic Therapy On The Symptoms Of Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd), Lydia L.M. Sprague

Non-Thesis Student Work

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a pervasive mental health challenge globally, necessitating effective treatment approaches. This paper examines the efficacy of probiotic therapy compared to placebo in individuals diagnosed with MDD, addressing the PICOT question: In people diagnosed with MDD, what effect does probiotic therapy versus placebo have on their symptoms of depression? Through a review of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study elucidates the potential of probiotics as adjunctive treatments for MDD. Findings indicate that probiotic interventions may yield improvements in depression symptoms, reflecting promising avenues for complementary therapeutic strategies. However, variations in study designs and probiotic strains …

Radiofrequency Ablation Of Thyroid Nodules: A Clinical Review Of Treatment Complications, Peter P. Issa, Katherine Cironi, Leely Rezvani, Emad Kandil

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive ablative modality for the treatment of thyroid nodules. Reports of RFA use have demonstrated an impressive safety profile and excellent volume reduction rates between 60-90%. Given its increased popularity in the United States as well as globally, numerous recent works have been published and a discussant of relevant complications incorporating recent insight may assist practitioners in minimizing complications and optimizing patient outcomes. Herein, we provide a comprehensive and updated review of the reported complications and side effects following RFA, summarizing their frequency and clinical presentation. We also describe a means of minimizing such …

Microvascular Reactivity Is Greater Following Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise Compared To Traditional Resistance Exercise, Michael R. Perlet, Evan L. Matthews

Research Data

Excel document of research data, statistical analysis, and graphs.

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

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

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

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

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

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

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

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

Law Library Blog (December 2023): Legal Beagle's Blog Archive, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Law Library Newsletters/Blog

No abstract provided.

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

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

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

Clinical Outcomes And Tumor Microenvironment Response To Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Lauren E. Mueller, Peter P. Issa, Mohammad Hosny Hussein, Rami M. Elshazli, Muhib Haidari, Youssef Errami, Mohamed Shama, Manal S. Fawzy, Emad Kandil, Eman Toraih

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) utilizes minimally invasive high-energy current to precisely ablate tumor cells. It has been utilized in many cancer types including thyroid, lung, and liver cancer. It has been shown to provide adequate ablative margins with minimal complications; however, incomplete RFA may lead to recurrence of tumor. The underlying cellular mechanism and behavior of ablated cancer tissue is poorly understood. Methods: A systematic review was performed, searching EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus for studies published up to July 2022 and reported following PRISMA guidelines. Collection was performed by two groups of investigators to avoid risk of …

Invited Review: Adrenocortical Function In Avian And Non-Avian Reptiles: Insights From Dispersed Adrenocortical Cells., Rocco V. Carsia, Patrick J. Mcilroy, Henry B John-Alder

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Faculty Scholarship

Herein we review our work involving dispersed adrenocortical cells from several lizard species: the Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus), Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) and the Yucatán Banded Gecko (Coleonyx elegans). Early work demonstrated changes in steroidogenic function of adrenocortical cells derived from adult S. undulatus associated with seasonal interactions with sex. However, new information suggests that both sexes operate within the same steroidogenic budget over season. The observed sex effect was further explored in orchiectomized and ovariectomized lizards, some supported with exogenous testosterone. Overall, a suppressive effect of testosterone was evident, especially in cells …

Use Of Electronic Ecological Momentary Assessment Methodologies In Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Sleep Research In Young Adults: Systematic Review, Kimberly R. Hartson, Luz Huntington-Moskos, Clara G. Sears, Gina Genova, Cara Mathis, Wessly Ford, Ryan E. Rhodes

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Recent technological advances allow for the repeated sampling of real-time data in natural settings using electronic ecological momentary assessment (eEMA). These advances are particularly meaningful for investigating physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in young adults who are in a critical life stage for the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Objective: This study aims to describe the use of eEMA methodologies in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep research in young adults.

Methods: The PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched through August 2022. Inclusion criteria were use of eEMA; sample of young adults …

Radiofrequency Ablation As A Treatment Modality For Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Literature Review, Peter P. Issa, Emad Kandil, Grace S. Lee

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is an endocrine disorder typically characterized by elevated serum calcium and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). While parathyroidectomy is the standard treatment, non-operative intervention such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been adopted as an alternative for the management of pHPT, as it has been utilized in other endocrine glands such as thyroid and adrenal. In this literature review, we aim to evaluate the current practice of RFA for pHPT. Methods: A systematic literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase through June 2022 was conducted. Studies included in the review consisted of patient cohorts who had …

A Clinical Practice Review Of Percutaneous Ethanol Injection For Thyroid Nodules: State Of The Art For Benign, Cystic Lesions, Robert D.E. Clark, Xinyi Luo, Peter P. Issa, Ralph P. Tufano, Emad Kandil

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is a widely used treatment option for cystic and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. It has several advantages over other treatment modalities. Compared to surgery, PEI is less painful, can be performed in the outpatient setting, and carries less risk of transient or permanent side effects. Compared to other minimally invasive techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), PEI is less expensive and does not require specialized equipment. PEI performs well in the context of cystic nodules. PEI does not perform as well as other techniques in solid nodules, so its use as a primary treatment is limited …

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.

A Look Into The Physiological Impacts Of Childhood Cancers And Modeling Of Tumor Growth Rate, Erica Steiner, Kimberly Hansen, Marissa Stanton

Honors Theses

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases present in the world. Children have different reactions to diseases and treatments; thus, it is important to study those reactions specifically in children. Knowing how children are impacted by these factors can be helpful in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I performed this study by researching the different types of cancer I was interested in and using MATLAB to code for and simulate a growth curve of a brain tumor. I found that there are many different physiological impacts of different cancers in children. As for the modeling, I was able to get …

The Mindful Athlete Program, Joanne Bullard, Sojung Kim

Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Scholarship

According to the spring 2020 NCAA Well-Being Study, collegiate student-athletes reported experiencing mental health concerns due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data indicated that student-athletes were experiencing mental health concerns 150%-250% higher than historically reported (NCAA, 2020). These concerns were prevalent among all divisions. For Division III student-athletes, mental health concerns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic included “feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do, sleep difficulties, feeling mentally exhausted, feeling very lonely, feeling a sense of loss, and feeling very lonely and sad” (NCAA, 2020). This study indicated desired resources of Division III student-athletes included elements …

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Participates In The Host Response To Intra-Amniotic Inflammation Leading To Preterm Labor And Birth, Tomi Kanninen, Li Tao, Roberto Romero, Yi Xu, Marcia Arenas-Hernandez, Jose Galaz, Zhenjie Liu, Derek Miller, Dustyn Levenson, Jonathan M. Greenberg, Jonathan Panzer, Justin Padron, Kevin Theis, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

Objective: To determine if bacteria (Ureaplasma parvum and Sneathia spp.) associated with intra-amniotic infection can trigger the induction of cytokine Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) in vitro.

Material or subjects: Amniotic fluid and chorioamniotic membrane (CAM) were collected from women with sPTL who delivered at term (n=30) or preterm without intra-amniotic inflammation (n=34), with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (SIAI, n=27), or with intra-amniotic infection (IAI, n=17). Amnion epithelial cells (AECs), Ureaplasma parvum, and Sneathia spp. were also utilized.

Methods: The expression of TSLP, TSLPR, and IL-7Rα was evaluated in amniotic fluid or CAM by …

Restoration Of Normal Blood Flow In Atherosclerotic Arteries Promotes Plaque Stabilization, Morgan A. Schake, Ian S. Mccue, Evan T. Curtis, Thomas J. Ripperda, Samuel Harvey, Bryan T. Hackfort, Anna Fitzwater, Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, Forrest M. Kievit, Ryan M. Pedrigi

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Blood flow is a key regulator of atherosclerosis. Disturbed blood flow promotes atherosclerotic plaque development, whereas normal blood flow protects against plaque development. We hypothesized that normal blood flow is also therapeutic, if it were able to be restored within atherosclerotic arteries. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^−/−) mice were initially instrumented with a blood flow-modifying cuff to induce plaque development and then five weeks later the cuff was removed to allow restoration of normal blood flow. Plaques in decuffed mice exhibited compositional changes that indicated increased stability compared to plaques in mice with the cuff maintained. The therapeutic benefit of …

Repeated Social Defeat Stress Leads To Immunometabolic Shifts In Innate Immune Cells Of The Spleen, Mandakh Bekhbat, John Drake, Emily C. Reed, Tatlock H. Lauten, Tamara Natour, Vladimir I. Vladimirov, Adam J. Case

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Psychosocial stress has been shown to prime peripheral innate immune cells, which take on hyper-inflammatory phenotypes and are implicated in depressive-like behavior in mouse models. However, the impact of stress on cellular metabolic states that are thought to fuel inflammatory phenotypes in immune cells are unknown. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we investigated mRNA enrichment of immunometabolic pathways in innate immune cells of the spleen in mice subjected to repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) or no stress (NS). RSDS mice displayed a significant increase in the number of splenic macrophages and granulocytes (p < 0.05) compared to NS littermates. RSDS-upregulated genes in macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes significantly enriched immunometabolic pathways thought to play a role in myeloid-driven inflammation (glycolysis, HIF-1 signaling, MTORC1 signaling) as well as pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and oxidative stress (p < 0.05 and FDR<0.1). These results suggest that the metabolic enhancement reflected by upregulation of glycolytic and OXPHOS pathways may be important for cellular proliferation of splenic macrophages and granulocytes following repeated stress exposure. A better understanding of these intracellular metabolic mechanisms may ultimately help develop novel strategies to reverse the impact of stress and associated peripheral immune changes on the brain and behavior.

Defining The Nuanced Nature Of Redox Biology In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Emily C. Reed, Adam J. Case

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Despite affecting around 7% of the population, there are currently no definitive biological signatures or biomarkers used in the diagnosis of PTSD. Thus, the search for clinically relevant and reproducible biomarkers has been a major focus of the field. With significant advances of large-scale multi-omic studies that include genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data, promising findings have been made, but the field still has fallen short. Amongst the possible biomarkers examined, one area is often overlooked, understudied, or inappropriately investigated: the field of …

Enhanced Central Sympathetic Tone Induces Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (Hfpef) In Rats, Shyam S. Nandi, Kenichi Katsurada, Michael J. Moulton, Hong Zheng, Kaushik K. Patel

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogenous clinical syndrome characterized by diastolic dysfunction, concentric cardiac left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis with preserved systolic function. However, the underlying mechanisms of HFpEF are not clear. We hypothesize that an enhanced central sympathetic drive is sufficient to induce LV dysfunction and HFpEF in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to central infusion of either saline controls (saline) or angiotensin II (Ang II, 20 ng/min, i.c.v) via osmotic mini-pumps for 14 days to elicit enhanced sympathetic drive. Echocardiography and invasive cardiac catheterization were used to measure systolic and diastolic …

Repeated Social Defeat Stress Induces An Inflammatory Gut Milieu By Altering The Mucosal Barrier Integrity And Gut Microbiota Homeostasis, Santosh K. Yadav, Rizwan Ahmad, Cassandra M. Moshfegh, Jagadesan Sankarasubramanian, Vineet A. Joshi, Safwan K. Elkhatib, Yashpal S. Chhonker, Goeffrey A. Talmon, Chittibabu Guda, Adam Case, Amar B. Singh

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by exposure to traumatic events in an individual’s life. Patients with PTSD are also at a higher risk for comorbidities. However, it is not well understood how PTSD affects human health and/or promotes the risk for comorbidities. Nevertheless, patients with PTSD harbor a proinflammatory milieu and dysbiotic gut microbiota. Gut barrier integrity helps to maintain normal gut homeostasis and its dysregulation promotes gut dysbiosis and inflammation.

Methods

We used a mouse model of repeated social defeat stress (RSDS), a preclinical model of PTSD. Behavioral studies, metagenomics analysis of the …

A Critical Role For Staphylococcal Nitric Oxide Synthase In Controlling Flavohemoglobin Toxicity, Ryan M. Singh, Sujata S. Chaudhari, Sasmita Panda, Elizabeth H. Hutfless, Cortney E. Heim, Dhananjay Shinde, Abdulelah A. Alqarzaee, Margaret F. Sladek, Vineet Kumar, Matthew C. Zimmerman, Paul D. Fey, Tammy Kielian, Vinai Chittezham Thomas

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Most coagulase-negative staphylococcal species, including the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis, struggle to maintain redox homeostasis and grow under nitrosative stress. Under these conditions, growth can only resume once nitric oxide (NO) is detoxified by the flavohemoglobin Hmp. Paradoxically, S. epidermidis produces endogenous NO through its genetically encoded nitric oxide synthase (seNOS) and heavily relies on its activity for growth. In this study, we investigate the basis of the growth advantage attributed to seNOS activity. Our findings reveal that seNOS supports growth by countering Hmp toxicity. S. epidermidis relies on Hmp activity for its survival in the host under NO stress. …

Potential Of Synthetic And Natural Compounds As Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Hematological Malignancies, Dilipkumar Pal, Khushboo Raj, Shyam Sundar Nandi, Surajit Sinha, Abhishek Mishra, Arijit Mondal, Ricardo Lagoa, Jack T. Burcher, Anupam Bishayee

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are enzymes that remove or add acetyl groups to lysine residues of histones, respectively. Histone deacetylation causes DNA to more snugly encircle histones and decreases gene expression, whereas acetylation has the opposite effect. Through these small alterations in chemical structure, HATs and HDACs regulate DNA expression. Recent research indicates histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) may be used to treat malignancies, including leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, virus-associated tumors, and multiple myeloma. These data suggest that HDACis may boost the production of immune-related molecules, resulting in the growth of CD8-positive T-cells and the recognition of nonreactive tumor …

Elevated Crp And Tnf-Α Levels Are Associated With Blunted Neural Oscillations Serving Fluid Intelligence, Sarah M. Dietz, Mikki Schantell, Rachel K. Spooner, Megan E. Sandal, Amirsalar Mansouri, Yasra Arif, Hannah J. Okelberry, Jason A. John, Ryan Glesinger, Pamela E. May, Elizabeth Heinrichs-Graham, Adam J. Case, Matthew C. Zimmerman, Tony W. Wilson

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory processes help protect the body from potential threats such as bacterial or viral invasions. However, when such inflammatory processes become chronically engaged, synaptic impairments and neuronal cell death may occur. In particular, persistently high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been linked to deficits in cognition and several psychiatric disorders. Higher-order cognitive processes such as fluid intelligence (Gf) are thought to be particularly vulnerable to persistent inflammation. Herein, we investigated the relationship between elevated CRP and TNF-α and the neural oscillatory dynamics serving Gf.

METHODS: Seventy adults between the ages of 20-66 years …

Commonalities And Differences In Carotid Body Dysfunction In Hypertension And Heart Failure, Igor S. A. Felippe, Rodrigo Del Río, Harold D. Schultz, Benedito H. Machado, Julian F R Paton

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Carotid body pathophysiology is associated with many cardiovascular-respiratory-metabolic diseases. This pathophysiology reflects both hyper-sensitivity and hyper-tonicity. From both animal models and human patients, evidence indicates that amelioration of this pathophysiological signalling improves disease states such as a lowering of blood pressure in hypertension, a reduction of breathing disturbances with improved cardiac function in heart failure (HF) and a re-balancing of autonomic activity with lowered sympathetic discharge. Given this, we have reviewed the mechanisms of carotid body hyper-sensitivity and hyper-tonicity across disease models asking whether there is uniqueness related to specific disease states. Our analysis indicates some commonalities and some potential …

Observing Ceramide Pathway With Ferroptosis Via Mia Paca-2 Cell Treatment With Rsl3, Tazrin Rahman

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid, ceramides are lipid molecules that serve as key metabolic signaling molecules of a sphingolipid pathway. While it acts as a precursor of complex sphingolipids, inducing ceramide generation can cause cell stress leading to subsequent cell death via apoptosis, necrosis, and even mitophagy. With regards to cell death specifically, a novel form of regulated cell death, ferroptosis, has recently been recognized of necrotic nature. Its unique morphological features and distinct properties have been observed over the last several decades; however, the molecular features were not identifiable as pure evidence of cell death, until recently …

The Use Of A Habitat Quality Stress Index To Evaluate Stress As An Analog For Proximate Fitness In The American Crow Within A Matrix Of Landcover Characteristics To Assess Its Potential Contribution To Disease Etiologies, Theodore Lee Grabarz

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

All organisms occur within spatial and temporal environments to maximize proximate fitness (health) and thus life history outcomes. Previous work has examined the temporal and behavioral aspects of proximate fitness on life history outcomes particularly regarding highly perturbed environments (i.e., climate and land use change, resource extraction, agricultural erosion, etc.). My work focuses on the less examined spatial aspect of these perturbed environments. More specifically, this dissertation examines habitat selection and quality as the basis for understanding stress response (negative and positive feedback mechanisms) to environmental stressors within the larger context of regional or gamma (ɣ) biodiversity. Through the lens …