Physiology Commons^™

Undergraduate Research: Importance, Benefits, And Challenges, John K. Petrella, Alan Jung

International Journal of Exercise Science

Developing and maintaining undergraduate research programs benefits students, faculty mentors, and the university. Incorporating a research component along with a sound academic foundation enables students to develop independent critical thinking skills along with oral and written communication skills. The research process impacts valuable learning objectives that have lasting influence as undergraduates prepare for professional service. Faculty members at teaching intensive institutions can enhance learning experiences for students while benefiting from a productive research agenda. The university in turn benefits from presentations and publications that serve to increase visibility in the scientific community. Whether projects are derived through student-generated or mentor-generated …

Differential Expression And Functional Characterization Of Alpha3 Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, John Hideo Mizukawa

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in both the periperhal and central nervous systems, and are involved in pre-, post-, and non-synaptic control of neuronal activation. In the brain, these receptors play an important role in a variety of physiological processes such as cognition, development, learning, and memory formation. Malfunction of these receptors have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. To date, 17 different nAChR subunits, including α2-α7 and β2-β4, have been cloned that can form homo- and/or hetero-pentameric ionotropic receptors. The unique combinations of subunit pentamers manifest in distinct functional receptors. …

Investigating And Modeling Possible Mechanisms By Which Healthy Cell Membranes Become Resistant To Hydrolysis By Secretory Phospholipase A2, Jennifer Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) behaves differently toward the membranes of healthy cells compared to those of damaged or dying cells. The enzyme catalyzes rapid and sustained hydrolysis of compromised cells consistent with a simple catalytic mechanism. In contrast, when healthy cells are incubated with sPLA2, they become resistant to hydrolytic attack as manifest by three unusual observations: First, hydrolysis is transient and represents only a small fraction of the total membrane phospholipid content. Second, subsequent addition of sPLA2 fails to generate additional product. Third, the apparent potency of the enzyme to cause the membrane to be refractory is much greater …

A Comparative Analysis Of Hydrolysis Kinetics By Spla2 Isoforms During Apoptosis In S49 Cells, Erin Dalene Olson

Theses and Dissertations

Secretory Phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) represents a diverse class of roughly 20 enzymes, 12 of which have been identified in humans. These isoforms can be distinguished based on their tissue distribution, structure, and regulation. These differences in structure between the isoforms lead to the question does the enzyme's ability to respond to physical changes in the membrane during apoptosis governed by structure. S49 cell apoptosis was initiated by treatment with either the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (6–48 h) or with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. The rates of hydrolysis were compared with each treatment condition for various concentrations of snake venom and human groups …

The Role Of Microrna-155 And Microrna-146a As Putative Oncomirs In The Tumor Progression Of Prostate Cancer, Jennifer Hoyt

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer occurring in males. The identification of novel microRNAs (miRs) that contribute to tumor progression represents prospective treatment targets. miRs are small non-coding RNAs important in gene regulation with specific tissue expression patterns. Each miR is thought to affect the expression of hundreds of different RNA targets. Two putative oncomiRs, miR-155 and miR-146a, were shown to be differentially expressed in the human derived, prostate cell sublines M12 and F6. Quantification of endogenous miR expression showed high levels in the metastatic M12 cell line versus low in its weakly tumorigenic F6 variant. The restoration of …

Effect Of Rho Kinase Inhibition On Alpha-Actin Remodeling In The Contracting A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cell, Suzette Pike

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Suzette Pike on July 11, 2008,

Aminoacyl-Trna Synthetase Complexes: Molecular Multitasking Revealed, Corinne D. Hausmann, Michael Ibba

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The accurate synthesis of proteins, dictated by the corresponding nucleotide sequence encoded in mRNA, is essential for cell growth and survival. Central to this process are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which provide amino acid substrates for the growing polypeptide chain in the form of aminoacyl-tRNAs. The aaRSs are essential for coupling the correct amino acid and tRNA molecules, but are also known to associate in higher order complexes with proteins involved in processes beyond translation. Multiprotein complexes containing aaRSs are found in all three domains of life playing roles in splicing, apoptosis, viral assembly, and regulation of transcription and translation. …

The Effect Of Intensity Of Aerobic Training On Insulin Sensitivity, Carmine Richard Grieco Iii

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. It is estimated that I 0. 7% of adults over the age of 20 years and 23.1 % of adults over the age of 60 years have diabetes (NIH, 2007). Individuals with type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes and twice as likely to die of all-cause mortality (CDC, 2005). Additionally Mokdad et al. (2000) report that the prevalence of diabetes increased 33% between 1990 and 1998. Furthermore it has been estimated that nearly 26% of the …

Pge2 Receptor Subsets Mediate Hcg Regulation Of The Plasminogen Activator/Plasmin System In Primate Periovulatory Follicles, Nune Markosyan

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Elevated follicular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels are necessary for follicle rupture during ovulation. As the degradation of the follicle wall requires proteolysis, it was hypothesized that regulation of proteolysis by gonadotropins is PGE2 mediated.

There are four PGE2 receptors: EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. To determine which PGE2 receptors are present in monkey periovulatory follicles, granulosa cells and whole ovaries were collected 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after administration of an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or 36 hours after hCG from monkeys that received the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitor celecoxib. All EP receptor mRNAs were present …

Intravenous Administration Of Perfluorocarbon Emulsions As A Non-Recompression Therapy For Decompression Sickness, Cameron Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Decompression sickness (DCS) results from a sudden decrease in ambient pressure leading to super-saturation of tissues with inert gas and subsequent bubble formation within both tissues and blood. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are able to dissolve vast amounts of non-polar gases. The administration of intravenous (I.V.) PFC emulsions reduce both morbidity and mortality of DCS, but the mechanism of this protective effect has not yet been demonstrated. Juvenile Dorper cross sheep between 16 and 24 kg (n=31) were anaesthetized and instrumented for physiological monitoring, the administration of I.V. fluids and sampling of arterial and mixed venous blood. Animals were placed in a …

Membrane-Permeable Peptide Capable Of Calpain Inhibition, Rodney Guttmann

Physiology Faculty Patents

5-mer peptides that can inhibit calpain I and calpain II are disclosed. The peptide sequence is as follows: Leu or Ala)-(Xaa)-(Asp or Glu)-(Xaa)-(Leu or Met), where Xaa can be any amino acid.

Structural And Functional Mapping Of The Archaeal Multi-Aminoacyl-Trna Synthetase Complex, Corinne D. Hausmann, Michael Ibba

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus contains a multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) of LysRS, LeuRS and ProRS. Elongation factor (EF) 1A also associates to the MSC, with LeuRS possibly acting as a core protein. Analysis of the MSC revealed that LysRS and ProRS specifically interact with the idiosyncratic N- and C- termini of LeuRS, respectively. EF-1A instead interacts with the inserted CP1 proofreading domain, consistent with models for post-transfer editing by class I synthetases such as LeuRS. Together with previous genetic data, these findings show that LeuRS plays a central role in mediating interactions within the archaeal MSC by acting as a core scaffolding …

Adaptation And Mal-Adaptation To Ambient Hypoxia; Andean, Ethiopian And Himalayan Patterns, Guoqiang Xing, Clifford Qualls, Luis Huicho, Maria Rivera-Ch, Tsering Stobdan, Marat Slessarev, Eitan Prisman, Shoji Ito, Hong Wu, Angchuk Norboo, Diskit Dolma, Moses Kunzang, Tsering Norboo, Jorge L Gamboa, Victoria E. Claydon, Joseph Fisher, Guta Zenebe, Amha Gebremedhin, Roger Hainsworth, Ajay Verma, Otto Appenzeller

Physiology Faculty Publications

The study of the biology of evolution has been confined to laboratories and model organisms. However, controlled laboratory conditions are unlikely to model variations in environments that influence selection in wild populations. Thus, the study of "fitness" for survival and the genetics that influence this are best carried out in the field and in matching environments.

Therefore, we studied highland populations in their native environments, to learn how they cope with ambient hypoxia. The Andeans, African highlanders and Himalayans have adapted differently to their hostile environment.

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS), a loss of adaptation to altitude, is common in the …

Effect Of Long-Term Hypoxia On Myometrial Contractility In The Pregnant Sheep, Timothy Kimo Arakawa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous research from our laboratory has shown that myometrial contractility is reduced in pregnant sheep exposed to long-term hypoxia (LTH). The studies in this dissertation examined the effect of LTH on various aspects of Ca² regulation, large-conductance, Ca²⁺ activated (BK) channels activity and protein expression, and cGMP-depended protein kinase (PKG) activity. Myometrium was collected from near-term pregnant sheep exposed to high altitude-associated LTH and from normoxic pregnant controls. After pretreatment with 10^-8 M oxytocin (OT), circular and longitudinal myometrial strips were treated with nifedipine (L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker), ruthenium red, ryanodine (blockers of IPssensitive stores), 2-Nitro-4-carboxyphenyI-N,N-diphenyIcarbamate …

Parental Readiness For Change And Involvement In Treating Children With Obesity, Aileen Arratoonian Vedda

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Several studies have demonstrated benefits of parental involvement in intervention programs for Childhood Obesity. However, limited research is available on Parent Readiness for Change. This study utilized archival data from the LLU Growing Fit Obesity Clinic to assess Parent Readiness for Change (PRC) and involvement in a 12- week multidisciplinary program for obese children, as a predictor of medical and psychological outcomes. Data from forty-nine children aged 6-16 (M= 10.47) were eligible and included. Their caregivers who participated in the program included; 86% mothers, 7 % fathers, and 7 % relatives. The caregiver mean age was M=39.6. PRC was assessed …

Neuronal Connections From The Cervix To The Spinal Cord Before Parturition, Mary Medina Groves

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

By the day before birth, the density of nerve fibers in the cervix has increased compared to earlier in pregnancy or in nonpregnant mice. Similar findings are reported in parturient women. To test the hypothesis that connections between the cervix and spinal cord are enhanced by term, the cervix of nonpregnant and time-dated pregnant mice (day 15 or 18 post-breeding) was injected with pseudorabies virus (PRV), a trans-synaptic retrograde neural tract tracer. Mice were euthanized and perfused 5 days later. The spinal cord and cervix were removed and postfixed overnight, immersed in sucrose, and cryostat sections through the thoracic to …

Relationship Of Vo2 Peak, Body Fat Percentage, And Power Output Measured During Repeated Bouts Of A Wingate Protocol, John R. Mclester‡, J. Matthew Green‡, P. Jason Wickwire†, Thaddeus R. Crews‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The principle of specificity would indicate that being aerobically trained would not necessarily enhance performance in events relying principally on oxygen-independent metabolic pathways (i.e. “anaerobic” exercise). Body fatness may be associated with aerobic and anaerobic performance. VO2 Peak was determined with a graded cycle ergometry and, in a separate session 4 consecutive Wingate power tests (3 min recovery) in 31 males. Pearson correlations were calculated for VO2 Peak and Body Fat Percentage with Peak Power, Mean Power, Minimum Power, Fatigue Index, Peak Heart Rate, and Recovery Heart Rate. No significant correlations were found for VO2 Peak or Body Fat Percentage …

Exercise Induced Alterations In Rat Monocyte Number, Morphology, And Function, Marcia Guereschi†, Jonato Prestes‡, Felipe Donatto‡, Rodrigo Dias‡, Anelena Frollini‡, Clílton Ferreira‡, Claudia Cavaglieri‡, Adrianne Palanch‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The purpose of this study was to verify the histophysiological alterations in monocytes and macrophages induced by short periods of exercise. Male Wistar rats (age = 2 months, body weight = 200g) were divided into seven groups (N=6 each): sedentary control (C), groups exercised (swimming) at low intensity for 5 (5L), 10 (10L), and 15 minutes (15L), and groups exercised at moderate intensity for 5 (5M), 10 (10M) or 15 minutes (15M). At moderate intensity the animals carried a load of 5% of body weight on their backs. Blood monocytes were evaluated for quantity and morphology, and peritoneal macrophages were …

Effect Of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers On Arterial Pressure And Vasoactivity In The Rat Mesentery, Michael Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers provide a promising future as an alternative to human blood transfusions. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, HBOCs, provide a lowcost, easy to maintain, and safe solution. They require no refrigeration and are universally compatible, and the required transfusion volume is less than that of a normal transfusion. HBOCs have been known to have adverse side effects such as renal toxicity, gastrointestinal dismotility, and hypertension. Many of these problems stem from the lack of a membrane, which protects the hemoglobin from dissociating and extravasating into the blood vessel wall. Extracellular hemoglobin, like that found in HBOCs, has a greater affinity …

Tendinopathy Discrimination By Use Of Spatial Frequency Parameters In Ultrasound B-Mode Images, Gregory R. Bashford, Nicholas Tomsen, Shruti Arya, Judith M. Burnfield, Kornelia Kulig

Biomedical Imaging and Biosignal Analysis Laboratory

The structural characteristics of a healthy tendon are related to the anisotropic speckle patterns observed in ultrasonic images. This speckle orientation is disrupted upon damage to the tendon structure as observed in patients with tendinopathy. Quantification of the structural appearance of tendon shows promise in creating a tool for diagnosing, prognosing, or measuring changes in tendon organization over time. The current work describes a first step taken towards this goal—classification of Achilles tendon images into tendinopathy and control categories. Eight spatial frequency parameters were extracted from regions of interest on tendon images, filtered and classified using linear discriminant analysis. Resulting …

Effects Of Exercise Induced Fatigue On Postural Balance: A Comparison Of Treadmill Versus Cycle Fatiguing Protocols, Katherine Wright

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of muscle fatigue after a treadmill versus cycle ergometer incremental test on postural balance indices and recovery time recreationally trained individuals. The Bruce Treadmill Test and the Incremental Cycle Ergometer test were used to induce fatigue. Each subject (N=16) performed both exercises, but the order of the exercises was randomized. The subjects performed balance measures on a Biodex Balance System via the Dynamic Balance Test at level 5 and indices were recorded as given. Balance was measured a total of nine times (pre-exercise, immediately post, and at 3, 6, 9, …

Hypochlorous Acid Mediated Damage Of Chromatin, Joseph Insugn Kang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the primary product of activated neutrophils at sites of inflammation, can damage both DNA and associated histone proteins. HOCl damage to cytosine bases in DNA generates the chlorination damage products 5-chlorocytosine (ClC) and 5-chlorouracil (ClU) as well as the oxidation damage products 5- hydroxycytosine (HOC) and 5-hydroxyuracil (HOU). Histone damage by HOCl can be measured by quantitation of 3-chlorotyrosine and 3,5-dichlorotyrosine, stable and unique markers of protein damage caused by HOCl. The studies presented here investigate how and where these damage products occur and what implications they might have in the correlation between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. …

Colocalization And Distribution Of Hcn4 Channels And A Maguk Protein In Mammalian Sinoatrial Myocytes, Padmastuti Akella

Honors Scholar Theses

The sinoatrial node is known as the pacemaker of the heart. It controls the rate at which action potentials are generated and propagate through the sinoatrial myocytes. This thesis is an attempt to identify the colocalization of a specific ion channel (HCN4 channel) with a class of scaffolding protein (MAGUK proteins) within the sinoatrial myocyte. The colocalization of these two variables was performed using immunocytochemistry on murine sinoatrial myocytes and experimental results revealed the existence of a strong colocalization between the two variables. Images collected from the confocal microscope and analyzed using ImageJ software revealed a strong dependent correlation between …

Effects Of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers On The Vasoactivity Of The Spinotrapezius Muscle Of The Rat, Pete Meliagros

Theses and Dissertations

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) offer a safe, more plentiful and long term alternate to blood banks. However, they have been found to increase blood pressure which can be attributed to an increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR). Lumenal nitric oxide (NO) scavenging by these HBOCs seems to be responsible for this hypertensive effect. In addition, it is believed that hemoglobin (Hb) tetramers and dimers may extravasate and consume additional nitric oxide in the perivascular and interstitial space. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the role of NO scavenging and to confirm extravasation as a contributor to HBOC …

Changes In Emg And Finger Force With Repeated Hangs From The Hands In Rock Climbers, Phillip B. Watts‡, Randall L. Jensen‡, Sara M. Agena†, John A. Majchrzak†, Rebecca A. Schellinger†, Cory S. Wubbels†

International Journal of Exercise Science

The nature and degree of fatigue in muscles that control finger position during repeated sustained efforts in rock climbing have not been described. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in maximum hang time and forearm electromyogram (EMG) during repeated maximum duration hangs from a simulated rock feature. A second objective was to determine the effect of different recovery times between hangs upon changes in finger force. Five experienced rock climbers performed 2 test sessions on different days in a randomized order. Each session involved 8 repetitions of a maximum duration hang with either 1 min (R1) or …

Do The Principles Of Motor Program Editing Apply To Longer Sequences Of Rapid Aiming Movements? Part Ii, Eric J. Wilson*, David E. Sherwood‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

In Part I of this study, it was shown that performing a shorter distance aiming movement prior to a longer distance aiming movement resulted in overshooting of the short movement and undershooting of the longer movement compared to control conditions. However, the finding was limited, unexpectedly, to the nondominant hand. To replicate the prior result and to determine the effect of practice organization on movement accuracy, right-handed (n =24) participants (aged 18-22) produced a sequence of three rapid lever reversals combining short (20°) and long (60°) movements with an intermovement interval of 2.5 s with the dominant hand. Greater overshooting …

Reviewing An Original Research Manuscript For The International Journal Of Exercise Science: A Guide For Students And Professionals, Kathy J. Simpson

International Journal of Exercise Science

Considerations for the review process of manuscripts submitted to the International Journal of Exercise Science are presented. Initial steps to evaluation include reading the abstract to determine your ability as a reviewer, becoming familiar with the journal requirements, and formulating an initial impression of the manuscript. At this point an assessment is made to determine how the reviewer should treat the manuscript. If it is determined that the manuscript is acceptable with minor revisions, or may be acceptable with major changes, a full review should be performed. A full review of the manuscript requires a thorough examination of the major …

Maternal Cocaine Administration In Mice Alters Dna Methylation And Gene Expression In Hippocampal Neurons Of Neonatal And Prepubertal Offspring, Svetlana I. Novikova, Fang He, Jie Bai, Nicholas J. Cutrufello, Michael S. Lidow, Ashiwel S. Undieh

Publications and Research

Previous studies documented significant behavioral changes in the offspring of cocaine-exposed mothers. We now explore the hypothesis that maternal cocaine exposure could alter the fetal epigenetic machinery sufficiently to cause lasting neurochemical and functional changes in the offspring. Pregnant CD1 mice were administered either saline or 20 mg/kg cocaine twice daily on gestational days 8–19. Male pups from each of ten litters of the cocaine and control groups were analyzed at 3 (P3) or 30 (P30) days postnatum. Global DNA methylation, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation followed by CGI2 microarray profiling and bisulfite sequencing, as well as quantitative real-time RT-PCR gene expression …

A Carboxyl-Terminal Sequence In The Lutropin Β Subunit Contributes To The Sorting Of Lutropin To The Regulated Pathway, Albina Jablonka-Shariff, Christopher A. Pearl, Anna Comstock, Irving Boime

Peer Reviewed Articles

Although synthesized in the same pituitary gonadotropes, the secretion profiles of lutropin (LH) and follitropin (FSH) differ. LH is secreted through a regulated pathway and associated with a bolus release at mid-estrous cycle. In contrast, the majority of FSH is secreted constitutively with an incremental increase until ovulation. Both share an identicalα subunit, and thus theβ subunit contains determinants for sorting into the regulated pathway. Previously, we demonstrated that a hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide of the LHβ subunit (Leu-Ser-Gly-Leu-Leu-Phe-Leu), not found in the FSHβ subunit, influences the intracellular behavior of the LH dimer. To test the hypothesis that the peptide contributes …

Validation Of A New Method Of Estimating Vo2max Based On Vo2Reserve With Treadmill Exercise, Julie Lynn Ward

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to establish and then validate a treadmill protocol to predict VO_2max based on VO₂Reserve.

Methods

A treadmill protocol was developed to elicit approximately 60-70% of heart rate reserve (HRR) in the fifth and sixth minutes of the final stage. The protocol involved walking on a treadmill at 3.0 mph, with grade increasing by 1 % each minute until 50% HRR was reached. Then, an additional 5 minutes of walking at the final grade was performed. A study population of 60 volunteers (30 male; 30 female), considered low risk by ACSM …