Physiology Commons^™

Quantification Of Aqp11 Paralog Expression In The Osmoregulatory Organs Of Anguilla Rostrata, Keith C. Kurt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osmoregulation is facilitated by using an assortment of ion and water channels to assist acclimation to changing conditions and to maintain cellular homeostasis. Euryhaline fish can be found in both seawater and freshwater (SW and FW) environments. Expression of ion and water channels have been experimentally demonstrated to change as a fish acclimates to different environmental conditions. Relatively recently, a new group of water channels has been discovered that are primarily intracellular and includes aquaporin 11 (AQP11). Typically, AQPs are located on the cell plasma membrane to allow water to flow in and out of the cell by osmosis to …

Investigation Of Transforming Growth Factor-Alpha And Its Potential Role In Promoting Ovarian Follicular Dominance, Allie Lynn Lundberg

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Intraovarian growth factors play a vital role in influencing the fate of ovarian follicles. They affect proliferation versus apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs), and can influence whether small antral follicles continue their growth or undergo atresia. Transforming Growth Factor-alpha (TGFα), an oocyte-derived growth factor, is thought to regulate granulosa cell function, yet has been largely overshadowed by current interest in TGF-beta superfamily members, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). In the current study, effects of TGFα on bovine GC proliferation, intracellular signaling and cytokine-induced apoptosis were evaluated. Briefly, all small antral follicles (3-5mm) from bovine ovaries …

Quantifying The Morphological And Physiological Effects Of Drought, Grass Invasion, And Fire On Longleaf, Loblolly, And Slash Pine, Laura Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is altering ecosystems on a global scale, creating novel ecological scenarios with which plant species must cope. Factors such as altered precipitation and fire regimes and non-native plant invasion may negatively affect native plant species, while interactions between these stressors could magnify their impacts. The complexity of multiple stressors and the effects they have on native pine seedlings are difficult to predict without evaluating their combinations in field experiments. In a multi-year study, I investigated the effects of drought and plant invasion on three southeastern pine species under pre and post-fire conditions. We planted longleaf (Pinus palustris …

The Effect Of Dorsal Rhizotomy On Renal Sodium Excretion Following Dorsal Spinal Stimulation, Tanko Tijani Ahmed

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Hypertension is one of the most common risk factors in the development of heart disease, stroke and end stage renal failure. Sympathetic overactivity is believed to be one of the main mechanism behind resistant hypertension. Renal denervation has been used to treat resistant hypertension, although this procedure is an invasive one. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a known modality to treat ischemic pain, angina pectoris, and peripheral vascular diseases. In previous studies in this laboratory, unilateral spinal cord stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) at 67% of the motor threshold increased urinary sodium and water excretion significantly, without affecting mean …

The Effect Of Bovine Galectin-1, A Conceptus Secretory Protein, On The Endometrial Transcriptome, Lindsay Faye Grose

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Early embryonic loss in cattle is detrimental to reproduction thus, the profitability of both the beef and dairy industries. Therefore, an important aspect of study is to find techniques that beef or dairy producers could use to decrease early embryonic loss Galectin-1, the protein that was investigated in this research is important in modulating the maternal immune system in rodent and human early pregnancies by promoting fetomaternal immune tolerance. The role of galectin-1 within the reproductive tissues has not been thoroughly investigated in cattle. Galectin-1 is located in the caruncular and intercaruncular regions of the bovine endometrium, specifically the maternal …

Greening Rates And Photosynthetic Development Of Leaves In C3 And C4 Plants, Tayler J. Kriss

Master's Theses

To study chlorophyll development time and overall photosynthetic development in C3 and C4 leaves, seeds were germinated in complete darkness and achlorophyllous leaves were then allowed to develop in lighted conditions. Corn (Zea mays, C4), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, C4), green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, C3), broad bean (Vicia faba, C3), and wheat (Triticum aestivum, C3) were investigated for the first ten days of sunlight exposure. Chlorophyll concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and CO2 gas exchange measurements were conducted daily on the first leaf that emerged after the embryonic leaves of each plant. The first five days of the experiment, days zero to four …

The Relationship Between Seasonal Breeding And Deiodinase Expression In The Green Anole Lizard, Hyejoo Kang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Reproductive physiology and behavior is mainly regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. Interestingly, abnormal levels of thyroid hormone (TH) results in the delayed onset of puberty and affects gonadal function of adults by altering HPG axis activity. Seasonally breeding animals undergo drastic hormonal and behavioral changes between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis), similar to other seasonally breeding animals, have increased sex steroid hormones, larger gonads, upregulated gonadal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA and increased reproductive behavior during the breeding compared to non-breeding seasons. Relatively less is known regarding the regulation of gonadal TH in seasonal …

Menstrual Cycle And The Vascular Properties Of Remote Preconditioning, Shelby Rachel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: A promising therapeutic intervention to counteract endothelial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Limited data from ovariectomized animal models shows that estrogen deficiency abolishes the cardioprotective effects of IPC, whereas estrogen replacement restores protection. This suggests that alterations in female sex hormones, particularly estrogens, that occur naturally during the menstrual cycle is likely to influence the vascular protective properties of IPC. The aim of the present study was to identify how changes in female sex hormones that occur naturally during the menstrual cycle interfere with IPC to provide vascular endothelial protection in women. METHODS: Nine healthy premenopausal eumenorrheic …

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Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Ketone Body On Synaptic Transmission, Alexandra Elizabeth Stanback

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The ketogenic diet is commonly used to control epilepsy, especially in cases when medications cannot. The diet typically consists of high fat, low carb, and adequate protein and produces a metabolite called acetoacetate. Seizure activity is characterized by glutamate excitotoxicity and therefore glutamate regulation is a point of research for control of these disorders. Acetoacetate is heavily implicated as the primary molecule responsible for decreasing glutamate in the synapse; it is believed that acetoacetate interferes with the transport of glutamate into the synaptic vesicles. The effects on synaptic transmission at glutamatergic synapses was studied in relation to the ketogenic diet …

Trpm7 Channels As A Bioassay Of Internal And External Mg2+, Charles T. Luu

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Magnesium is an important divalent metal cation that is involved in numerous cellular functions. The details of cellular Mg2+ regulation, homeostasis and transport remain unclear. Magnesium transporter protein (MagT1) is a Mg2+ transporter and deficiency of this protein has been reported to lead to impaired Mg2+ influx and a decreased cytoplasmic [Mg2+]. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a ubiquitously expressed membrane protein containing a channel pore and a C-terminal alpha-type serine/threonine protein kinase domain. Importantly, TRPM7 channel is believed to conduct both Mg2+ and Ca2+. In the present study, we investigated if TRPM7 can be used as a …

Effect Of Administration Of Somatostatin Analogue On Blood Pressure In Chronic Intermittent Hypoxic Rats, Kajal Kamra

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The cardiorespiratory system in our bodies does not adapt to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH) and consequently syndromes such as sleep apnea lead to pathophysiological conditions like Hypertension. It has been demonstrated that the peripheral chemoreceptors underpin the development of these conditions and at present, there are no selective drug therapies for this form of hypertension. However, evidence suggests that peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity to CO2 & hypoxia is reduced by Somatostatin (SST) in humans. Our preliminary in-vitro studies have demonstrated that SST will blunt the response of the carotid body to hypoxia and decrease the baseline activity of the carotid body. …

The Acute Effect Of Propanil On Reproductive Hormones, Ovarian Gene Expression And Splenic Cells In C57bl/6 Female Mice, Malia Danielle Berg

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Earlier evidence indicates exposure to propanil, a post-emergent herbicide used on rice and wheat fields, increases the number of antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in the spleen of mice after immunization with heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (HKSP, 2x10⁸ CFU). Interestingly, an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is required for this immune response assessed on day 7-10 after immunization in female mice. Hence, an overarching premise is that propanil arbitrates the connection between the reproductive and immune system by altering the concentration of hormones involved in the HPG axis, which may then affect the populations of splenic cells. Hypotheses were tested with C57Bl/6 female …

The Manifestations Of Fatigue In Amateur Boxing Performance, Emily C. Dunn

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A subjective method of judgment, the “Ten Point Must-System” (TPMS), was introduced into amateur boxing in 2013. To be successful, boxers must deliver forceful punches and exert dominance over an opponent. There has been limited research examining the strategies used by boxers to win fights under the TPMS and whether these strategies induce fatigue that is sufficient to significantly affect punch force. The overall objective of the five studies contained in this thesis was to describe, in relation to fatigue, the performance characteristics of male amateur boxers under the TPMS, and improve our understanding of the physical characteristics associated with …

Population Health Of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In Created Vernal Pools: An Integrative Approach, Alice R. Millikin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Habitat creation is an important tool for conservation to counteract habitat loss and degradation. Vernal pools are susceptible to destruction due to limited detection, protection, and regulation. These wetlands provide fishless breeding habitat for many amphibian species including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in eastern North America. Determining whether created vernal pool habitat is successful is often determined by demographic data of colonizing populations. I suggest that hormone levels, population genetics, and disease prevalence can improve our understanding of population health in created habitat. The goal of this dissertation was to assess the health of spotted salamander larvae in …

Effects Of Acute Hypoxia On Danio Rerio, Karly Crail

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research experiment was to determine the effects of acute hypoxia on the embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) cardiovascular system and assess the critical oxygen level at which embryonic function is compromised. This goal was achieved by exposing embryos to decreasing oxygen concentrations, (6.0 mg/L-0 mg/L) and observing the heart under an inverted microscope. Data analysis was conducted to determine end systolic volume, end diastolic volume, stroke volume, heart rate, and cardiac output. It was hypothesized that hypoxia would stimulate cardiac activity, because in early developmental stages, tissues are supplied with oxygen through bulk diffusion, and …

The Effects Of Bisphenol F On Embryonic Cardiac Output In Zebrafish, Kyle Monnot

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Bisphenol F (BPF) is an analog compound of the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA). BPA utilization has decreased dramatically due to its detrimental effects as an endocrine disrupter. In place of BPA, BPF is growing to be a ubiquitous chemical in epoxy resin manufacturing. Recent research has begun to investigate the possible endocrinal effects of BPF as an analog of BPA. This study was performed to examine the potential effects of BPF exposure on cardiac parameters of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Embryos were exposed to 50 µg/L BPF for 48 hours, and cardiac parameters (stroke volume, heart rate, and …

Stress And Social Media: Can Using Facebook Impact The Anticipatory Stress Response In Athletes?, Quinn Johnshoy

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The proportion of young adults on social media sites has grown in recent years. While some young adults find enjoyment in these sites, they cause stress and anxiety in others. Additionally, although many athletes experience stress prior to competition, it is unclear if social media use could modulate this stress. The aim of the present study is to determine if Facebook use influences the anticipatory stress response demonstrated in athletes before the start of a competition. In this study, undergraduate students competing in club sports spent time before each of two competitions either engaging in their normal pre-game routine or …

Are Highways Stressful For Pikas?: Analysis Of Stress Hormones Of The American Pika (Ochotona Princeps) Living Adjacent To Interstate 90 In The Cascade Range Of Washington State, Thomas J. Mcintyre Iii

All Master's Theses

Roads often disrupt ecosystem connectivity, harming many wildlife populations. Wildlife crossing structures perforate the barrier-effect of roads, providing safe passage for species dispersing across roads, thereby reconnecting ecosystems. Some wildlife species live in modified habitats along roads and in habitat features within wildlife crossing structures, but their fitness in these potentially stressful environments is poorly understood. Chronic stress alters behavior, reduces reproduction, and has been linked to reduced survival. Animals affected by chronic stress in road-adjacent habitats could reduce the ability of wildlife crossing structures to improve connectivity across roads. I assessed stress hormone concentrations in a low-mobility species, the …

Thermal And Low Oxygen Tolerance Of A Southern Population Of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis), Daniel A. Lleras

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate change projections estimate a 2-3°C increase in water temperatures by the end of the century. The amount of habitat with suitable temperature and oxygen concentration for aquatic organisms will also be reduced. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) inhabiting the rivers in Southeastern Georgia make an interesting study system as they do not participate in summer coastal migrations typical of their northern conspecifics. Instead, fish in this southern population remain in freshwater environments that experience warming and decreases in dissolved oxygen. The present study aims to determine the thermal and low oxygen tolerance of juvenile striped bass collected from …

Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Increase The Antiproliferative Activity Of Doxorubicin In Breast Cancer, Alexander M. Hirsch

Theses and Dissertations

The field of cancer research has grown immensely in recent decades and has led to a better understanding of the causes of the disease, as well as greatly improved treatment for various types of cancers, especially breast cancer. One of the most effective treatments involves the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). DOX is an effective tool against all types of breast cancer, especially against triple negative breast cancer. However, DOX causes adverse side effects that include damage to the heart and skeletal muscle, particularly above specific cumulative doses. Recent evidence suggests that embryonic stem cell-derived (ES) exosomes, nanoscale extracellular vesicles that …

Molecular Targets Of Psychedelics And Their Role In Behavioral Models Of Hallucinogenic Action, Hiba Z. Vohra

Theses and Dissertations

Psychedelics are a subset of hallucinogenic drugs that exert their characteristic effects through agonist activity at the serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT_2A). In this study, I aimed to characterize the modulatory role of the metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptor (mGluR2) in the 5-HT_2A-specific rodent model of hallucinogenic action, head-twitch response (HTR). Secondly, I aimed to explore if 5-HT_2A agonist-induced deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response, an additional model of hallucinogenic action, could be produced in mice. Though 5-HT_2A agonist-induced PPI deficits, which represent interruptions in normal sensorimotor gating, have been described in …

Electrostatic Networks And Mechanisms Of Δph-Dependent Gating In The Human Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1, Ashley L. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The structure of the voltage-gated proton (H⁺) channel Hv1 is homologous to the voltage sensor domain (VSD) of tetrameric voltage-gated Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels (VGCs), but lacks a pore domain and instead forms a homodimer. Similar to other VSD proteins, Hv1 is gated by changes in membrane potential (V), but unlike VGCs, voltage-dependent gating in Hv1 is modulated by changes in the transmembrane pH gradient (DpH = pH_o - pH_i). In Hv1, pH_o or pH_i changes shift the open probability (P_OPEN)-V relation by ~40 mV per …

The Task At Hand: Fatigue-Associated Changes To Corticospinal Excitability During Writing, Kezia Cinelli

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Corticospinal excitability as measured via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is highly dependent on the task being performed at the time of stimulation. As such, this study sought out to measure corticospinal excitability during the relevant, daily task of writing and compare it to the conventional abduction task often utilized. We used single-pulse motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to provide a measure of corticospinal excitability and cortical silent period (CSP) duration, and paired-pulse conditioned MEPs to assess short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) recorded from the right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) of 19 participants on two randomized and counter-balanced days. …

Cold Tolerance, Temperature Mediated Discontinuous Gas Exchange, And Emergence Of The Blue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia Lignaria), Logan Kral

All Master's Theses

The relationship between low temperatures, emergence and supercooling point of Osmia lignaria were the subject of this study. One hundred sixty-eight bees were subjected to 5 pre-wintering temperature treatments (two constant temperature controls - 22^oC, 14^oC, one of which with and one without a 12h photoperiod, and three 12h:12h thermoperiod treatments – 14:10^oC, 14:5^oC, and 14:0^oC) and were then evaluated in terms of emergence time and post-emergence vigor. An additional 70 bees were tested for metabolic rate and discontinuous gas exchange in response to test temperature conditions. An additional sample …

Total Energy Intake And Self-Selected Macronutrient Distribution During Wildland Fire Suppression, Alexander N. Marks, Joseph A. Sol, Joseph W. Domitrovich, Molly R. West, Brent C. Ruby

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Introduction: Wildland firefighters (WLFF) work long hours in extreme environments resulting in high daily total energy expenditure (TEE). Increasing work shift eating episodes and/or providing rations that promote convenient feeding has shown augmented self-selected work output, as has regular carbohydrate (CHO) consumption. It remains unclear how current WLFF feeding strategies compare to more frequent nutrient delivery. Our study’s aim was to determine WLFFs’ self-selected field total energy intake (TEI), composition, and patterns feeding during wildland fire suppression shifts.

Methods: 86 WLFF (16 female, 70 male; 27.5 ± 6.4 yr) deployed to fire incidents across the United States throughout the 2018 …