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2011

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Articles 181 - 210 of 211

Full-Text Articles in Physiology

Effect Of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase In The Development Of Salt Sensitivity, Samar Abdulla Nasser Jan 2011

Effect Of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase In The Development Of Salt Sensitivity, Samar Abdulla Nasser

Wayne State University Dissertations

Salt sensitivity is associated with a rise in blood pressure (BP) occurring during sodium loading and/or a fall in BP during sodium restriction that exceeds random fluctuations in BP. Salt sensitivity is more common in African American than Caucasian hypertensives and is also present, in normotensive African Americans. The mechanism or mechanisms resulting in salt-sensitive hypertension are multiple and include both activation of the renin angiotensin system via increases in angiotensin II and reductions in the endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). An important means of NO downregulation is through asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NO inhibitor, which is largely metabolized …


Hemorrhagic Stroke, Kelsey Bigham Jan 2011

Hemorrhagic Stroke, Kelsey Bigham

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

No abstract provided.


Characterization Of The Expression Of Bdnf And Cgrp And Their Regulatory Pathways In Dorsal Root Ganglion During Cystitis., Sharon Yu Jan 2011

Characterization Of The Expression Of Bdnf And Cgrp And Their Regulatory Pathways In Dorsal Root Ganglion During Cystitis., Sharon Yu

Theses and Dissertations

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic debilitating disease that causes pain and increased frequency of micturition, amongst other symptoms, without any identifiable cause. This disease affects a large number of the population, yet the etiology is still unknown. The present study aimed to characterize BDNF and CGRP—two neuropeptides that have both been proven to play an important role in the transmission of pain as well as in hypersensitivity. The signaling pathways regulating the expression of the two neuropeptides were also examined. Results revealed that BDNF protein expression levels increased in both L1 and L6 DRG following 48 hours post CYP-induced cystitis. …


Dose-Dependent Thresholds Of 10-Ns Electric Pulse Induced Plasma Membrane Disruption And Cytotoxicity In Multiple Cell Lines, Bennett L. Ibey, Caleb C. Roth, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Joshua A. Bernhard, Gerald J. Wilmink, Olga N. Pakhomova Jan 2011

Dose-Dependent Thresholds Of 10-Ns Electric Pulse Induced Plasma Membrane Disruption And Cytotoxicity In Multiple Cell Lines, Bennett L. Ibey, Caleb C. Roth, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Joshua A. Bernhard, Gerald J. Wilmink, Olga N. Pakhomova

Bioelectrics Publications

In this study, we determined the LD50 (50% lethal dose) for cell death, and the ED50 (50% of cell population staining positive) for propidium (Pr) iodide uptake, and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization for several commonly studied cell lines (HeLa, Jurkat, U937, CHO-K1, and GH3) exposed to 10-ns electric pulses (EP). We found that the LD50 varied substantially across the cell lines studied, increasing from 51 J/g for Jurkat to 1861 J/g for HeLa. PS externalized at doses equal or lower than that required for death in all cell lines ranging from 51 J/g in Jurkat, to 199 J/g in CHO-K1. Pr …


The Impact Of Tricaine Methanesulfonate, 2-Phenoxyethanol, And Carvone-Methyl Salicylate On The Innate Immune Response Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Charles R. Wulff Jan 2011

The Impact Of Tricaine Methanesulfonate, 2-Phenoxyethanol, And Carvone-Methyl Salicylate On The Innate Immune Response Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Charles R. Wulff

Honors Theses

Anesthesia plays a vital role in the maintenance of aquaculture species, where it is used to minimize stress during complex handling tasks such as transport, assessment, and harvesting. However, anesthetics have been shown to suppress the innate immune response, which could impact immunity and increase risk of infection. Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) and 2-Phenoxyethanol (2-PE) represent two of the most commonly used anesthetics in aquaculture, with R-(+)-carvone, in the form of carvone-methyl salicylate (CMS) has recently been proposed as an alternative anesthetic for food fish. These three anesthetics were used to assess the influence of anesthetics on the immune system of …


A Functional Study Of Ampa And Kainate Receptors, Yan Han Jan 2011

A Functional Study Of Ampa And Kainate Receptors, Yan Han

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The ionotropic glutamate receptors are localized in the pre- and postsynaptic membrane of neurons and mediate the majority of fast excitatory synaptic transmission. These receptors are divided into three subtypes: α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainic acid, and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. My thesis work focused on AMPA and kainate receptor subtypes.


Distinct Functions Of The Fshr Ck2 Consensus Sequence And Ck2 Kinase Activity In Fsh Action, Kerri S. Kluetzman Jan 2011

Distinct Functions Of The Fshr Ck2 Consensus Sequence And Ck2 Kinase Activity In Fsh Action, Kerri S. Kluetzman

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Human reproduction in the female is a complex process requiring coordinated control of gonadotropic hormone signaling in a temporal, spatial and contextually defined manner. Paracrine and autocrine signaling between granulosa cells and oocytes of the developing ovarian follicle result in production of steroids, inhibin and growth factors that dictate maturation, ovulation or atresia. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation of the FSH receptor (FSHR), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) is a key regulator of these processes. Recent developments in GPCR molecular and structural biology have helped define activation and signaling mechanisms that will aid in further defining the etiology of infertility …


Dog Models Of Naturally Occurring Cancer, Donna O. Mccarthy Jan 2011

Dog Models Of Naturally Occurring Cancer, Donna O. Mccarthy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Studies using dogs provide an ideal solution to the gap in animal models for natural disease and translational medicine. This is evidenced by approximately 400 inherited disorders being characterized in domesticated dogs, most of which are relevant to humans. There are several hundred isolated populations of dogs (breeds) and each has a vastly reduced genetic variation compared with humans; this simplifies disease mapping and pharmacogenomics. Dogs age five- to eight-fold faster than do humans, share environments with their owners, are usually kept until old age and receive a high level of health care. Farseeing investigators recognized this potential and, over …


The Characterization Of Pg0228 In Porphyromonas Gingivalis W83, Courtney Schlenker Jan 2011

The Characterization Of Pg0228 In Porphyromonas Gingivalis W83, Courtney Schlenker

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis affects 10 to 15 percent of most adult populations and can contribute to numerous systemic diseases. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is a recognized prime causative agent in periodontitis. Studies have shown a number of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) have been related to bacterial virulence. Many of these sRNAs require the facilitation of the bacterial Sm-like protein, Hfq, for optimum function. Hfq is a RNA chaperone involved in RNA stability, sRNA function, and polyadenylation. Mutants lacking in Hfq often show pleiotropic phenotypes, although the extent and severity of hfq null phenotypes is often species-specific. Hfq has been encoded …


Validating The Nike+ Wireless Sport Kit For Estimating Pace, Distance, And Energy Expenditure During Treadmill Walking And Running, Derek Joseph Acosta Jan 2011

Validating The Nike+ Wireless Sport Kit For Estimating Pace, Distance, And Energy Expenditure During Treadmill Walking And Running, Derek Joseph Acosta

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The use of accelerometry based physical activity monitors among recreational athletes to meet or exceed recommended physical activity guidelines has grown in popularity. In the interest of capitalizing on this demand, Adidas developed the miCoach Pacer System which allows the user to observe pace, distance, and energy expenditure during walking or running. Purpose. To validate the accuracy of the Adidas miCoach activity monitor in estimating energy expenditure (EE) (kcal/min), pace (min/km), and distance (km) during treadmill walking and running, and for two different sensor configurations. Methods. Nine male and 9 female moderately endurance trained volunteers (mean ± SD age: 28.83 …


Imbalanced Learning For Functional State Assessment, Feng Li, Frederick Mckenzie, Jiang Li, Guanfan Zhang, Roger Xu, Carl Richey, Tom Schnell, Thomas E. Pinelli (Ed.) Jan 2011

Imbalanced Learning For Functional State Assessment, Feng Li, Frederick Mckenzie, Jiang Li, Guanfan Zhang, Roger Xu, Carl Richey, Tom Schnell, Thomas E. Pinelli (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents results of several imbalanced learning techniques applied to operator functional state assessment where the data is highly imbalanced, i.e., some function states (majority classes) have much more training samples than other states (minority classes). Conventional machine learning techniques usually tend to classify all data samples into majority classis and perform poorly for minority classes. In this study, we implemented five imbalanced learning techniques, including random under-sampling, random over-sampling, synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE), borderline-SMOTE and adaptive synthetic sampling (ADASYN) to solve this problem. Experimental results on a benchmark driving test dataset show that accuracies for minority classes …


The Effects Of Chronic Prophylactic Naproxen Sodium On Skeletal Muscle Adaptation To Resistance Exercise In Recreationally-Trained College-Aged Males, Christi Brewer Jan 2011

The Effects Of Chronic Prophylactic Naproxen Sodium On Skeletal Muscle Adaptation To Resistance Exercise In Recreationally-Trained College-Aged Males, Christi Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resistance exercise causes exercise-induced muscle injury (EIMI), triggering an acute local inflammatory response associated with delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is characterized by a predictable discomfort and decreased level of muscle performance and is believed to be the product of both mechanical and inflammatory processes. From the latter perspective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been investigated for their potential to alleviate DOMS-associated symptoms. Such analgesics exert their effects by blocking the formation of prostaglandins; however, prostaglandins, specifically prostaglandin F 2?, also play an important role in skeletal muscle regeneration. While some have advocated the use of NSAIDs for the relief …


Muscle Metaboreflex Control Of Coronary Blood Flow And Ventricular Contractility During Dynamic Exercise In Normal And Heart Failure Conditions, Matthew Coutsos Jan 2011

Muscle Metaboreflex Control Of Coronary Blood Flow And Ventricular Contractility During Dynamic Exercise In Normal And Heart Failure Conditions, Matthew Coutsos

Wayne State University Dissertations

Muscle metaboreflex activation during dynamic exercise induces a substantial increase in cardiac work and oxygen demand via a significant increase in heart rate, ventricular contractility and afterload. This increase in cardiac work should cause coronary metabolic vasodilation. However, little if any coronary vasodilation is observed due to concomitant sympathetically induced coronary vasoconstriction. In heart failure, cardiac output does not increase with MMA presumably due to impaired left ventricular contractility, and large decreases in coronary vascular conductance are observed. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine whether the muscle metaboreflex-induced restraint of coronary vasodilation functionally limits coronary blood flow and …


Molecular Mechanisms Of Snare Assembly And Expulsion Of Intravesicular Contents In Cell Secretion, Leah Jiyoung Zhang Jan 2011

Molecular Mechanisms Of Snare Assembly And Expulsion Of Intravesicular Contents In Cell Secretion, Leah Jiyoung Zhang

Wayne State University Dissertations

For nearly half a century, it was believed that during cell secretion, membrane-bound secretory vesicles completely merge at the cell plasma membrane resulting in the diffusion of intra-vesicular contents to the cell exterior and the compensatory retrieval of the excess membrane by endocytosis. This explanation made no sense or logic, since following cell secretion partially empty vesicles accumulate as demonstrated in electron micrographs. Furthermore, with the `all or none' mechanism of cell secretion by complete merger of secretory vesicle membrane at the cell plasma membrane, the cell is left with little regulation and control of the amount of content release. …


Mechanisms Of Translation Arrest Following Focal Brain Ischemia, Monique K. Lewis Jan 2011

Mechanisms Of Translation Arrest Following Focal Brain Ischemia, Monique K. Lewis

Wayne State University Dissertations

MECHANISMS OF TRANSLATION ARREST FOLLOWING FOCAL BRAIN

ISCHEMIA

by

MONIQUE K. LEWIS

August 2011

Advisor: Dr. Donald DeGracia

Major: Physiology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The loss of blood flow to the brain is termed ischemia and the subsequent resumption of blood flow is termed reperfusion. Brain ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) occurs primarily following resuscitation from cardiac arrest and stroke and presents one of the most significant clinical challenges. At present, there are no clinically effective pharmacologic interventions to halt brain damage following I/R. The major Aim of this dissertation will be to investigate possible mechanisms involved in neuron death following …


Destruction Of Biological Tetrapyrrole Macrocycles By Hypochlorous Acid And Its Scavenging By Lycopene, Dhiman Maitra Jan 2011

Destruction Of Biological Tetrapyrrole Macrocycles By Hypochlorous Acid And Its Scavenging By Lycopene, Dhiman Maitra

Wayne State University Dissertations

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a potent oxidant generated by the hemoprotein myeloperoxidase. Although HOCl plays an important role in the innate immune response,sustained high levels of HOCl has been implicated to play a harmful role. In several pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis, endometriosis and sickle cell disease where HOCl is elevated there are reports of significant free iron accumulation. Free iron is toxic since it can lead to the generation of other secondary free radicals such as hydroxyl radical by Fenton reaction. The exact source and mechanism by which the free iron is generated is not clearly understood. This work …


Cell Lineage Choice During Differentiation Of Trophoblast Stem Cells (Tsc) Is Dependent On Oxygen Levels, And Mediated By Stress Enzyme Pathways And Mitochondrial Function, Sichang Zhou Jan 2011

Cell Lineage Choice During Differentiation Of Trophoblast Stem Cells (Tsc) Is Dependent On Oxygen Levels, And Mediated By Stress Enzyme Pathways And Mitochondrial Function, Sichang Zhou

Wayne State University Dissertations

In general, stress is defined as a noxious factor in a broad spectrum (chemical, biological or physical). Stress response of human body can be divided into three levels----integrate, organ/tissue or cellular response. Trophoblast tem cell (TSC) is one of the earliest differentiated stem cell within blastocyst, which is the stage of preimplantation embryo developed from fertilized egg. Different from another pluripotent embryonic stem cell, which is derived from inner cell mass in blastocyst and develop into fetus, multipotent TSC will specifically differentiate into all kinds of cell subtypes consisting of placenta by which nutrient and oxygen from mom as well …


Mechanisms Of Persistent Translation Arrest Following Global Brain Ischemia And Reperfusion, Jill Theresa Jamison Jan 2011

Mechanisms Of Persistent Translation Arrest Following Global Brain Ischemia And Reperfusion, Jill Theresa Jamison

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

MECHANISMS OF PERSISTENT TRANSLATION ARREST FOLLOWING GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA and REPERFUSION

by

JILL T. JAMISON

December 2011

Advisor: Donald J. DeGracia, Ph.D.

Major: Physiology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The information presented here studies the mechanisms that underlie persistent translation arrest (TA) following global brain ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). To summarize the main findings I have discovered a new mechanism for prolonged post-ischemic TA that correlated exactly with in vivo translation rates and correlated precisely with cell outcome. Through the extensive colocalization studies, my results indicate that the mRNA granules are ribonomic structures involved with mRNA regulation. This finding is …


Environmental Enrichment-Mediated Neuroprotection Against Traumatic Brain Injury:Role Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Kyle Leann Traver Jan 2011

Environmental Enrichment-Mediated Neuroprotection Against Traumatic Brain Injury:Role Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Kyle Leann Traver

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Each year there are over 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the United States causing long-term health deficits and significant medical costs. This growing epidemic has led researchers to find methods for treating and preventing these injuries. Environmental Enrichment (EE) is an innovative technique shown to improve cognitive and functional outcomes following a TBI; however, the beneficial effects before injury have not been established. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been determined as a neuroprotective biomolecule in TBI. This research examined these two protective components and their roles in TBI. It was hypothesized that BDNF mRNA and protein levels would …


Synaptic Contact Localization In Three Dimensional Space Using A Center Distance Algorithm, Benjamin D. Ausdenmoore Jan 2011

Synaptic Contact Localization In Three Dimensional Space Using A Center Distance Algorithm, Benjamin D. Ausdenmoore

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Spatial distribution of synaptic inputs on the dendritic tree of a neuron can have significant influence on neuronal function. Consequently, accurate anatomical reconstructions of neuron morphology and synaptic localization are critical when modeling and predicting physiological responses of individual neurons. Historically, generation of three-dimensional (3D) neuronal reconstructions together with comprehensive mapping of synaptic inputs has been an extensive task requiring manual identification of putative synaptic contacts directly from tissue samples or digital images. Recent developments in neuronal tracing software applications have improved the speed and accuracy of 3D reconstructions, but localization of synaptic sites through the use of pre- and/or …


The Absence Of Abcd2 Reveals A Novel Role For Peroxisomes In The Protection From Metabolic Syndrome, Jingjing Liu Jan 2011

The Absence Of Abcd2 Reveals A Novel Role For Peroxisomes In The Protection From Metabolic Syndrome, Jingjing Liu

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

ABCD2 (D2) is a peroxisomal ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter that is expressed in brain, adrenal and liver. D2 is transcriptionally regulated by key transcriptional factors that control lipid and glucose metabolism. Therefore, we examined its role in adipose tissue. These studies revealed that D2 is highly abundant in adipose tissue and upregulated during adipogenesis. However, D2 deficiency does not affect either adipogenesis or lipid accumulation. An examination of the lipid profile of adipose tissue revealed the accumulation of C20 and C22 fatty acids in D2 deficient (D2‐/‐) mice. When challenged with a diet enriched in erucic acid (C22:1, 10% …


Assessment Of Fertility Potential In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus): An Elisa-Based Biomarker Analysis, Leslie Schwierzke Wade Jan 2011

Assessment Of Fertility Potential In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus): An Elisa-Based Biomarker Analysis, Leslie Schwierzke Wade

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As apex predators in coastal systems, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are susceptible to persistent organic pollutant (POP) accumulation and retention over time, which has prompted continued interest in understanding the extent to which contaminant body burdens or other stressors are sufficient to cause adverse sublethal effects on energetic fitness, immune function, or reproduction. Increasing our knowledge of reproductive endocrinology in bottlenose dolphins may provide insight into changes in reproductive rates, thereby expanding the capacity to assess conservation status. This study used the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) technique to examine peptide fertility hormones [inhibin A, inhibin B and anti-Müllerian …


Analysis Of Differential Gene Expression And Alternative Splicing In The Liver And Gastrointestinal Tract In The Lactating Rat, Antony Thomas Athippozhy Jan 2011

Analysis Of Differential Gene Expression And Alternative Splicing In The Liver And Gastrointestinal Tract In The Lactating Rat, Antony Thomas Athippozhy

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Rat exon microarrays were utilized to detect changes in mRNA expression and alternative splicing in the liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of the lactating rat when compared to age-matched virgin controls. Analysis of data at the level of gene expression revealed differential expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis in each tissue examined, suggesting increased Sterol Response Element Binding Protein activity. We also detected decreased mRNA from components of the T-cell signaling pathway in the jejunum and ileum. We characterized expression of solute carrier and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette proteins. In addition to characterizing genes by pathway, we have also …


The Role Of T-Type Calcium Channels In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Cycle Regulation, Abigail Prier Jan 2011

The Role Of T-Type Calcium Channels In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Cycle Regulation, Abigail Prier

Master's Theses

Results from previous experiments have provided evidence for T-type channel expression in adult pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) using electrophysiology and qRT-PCR. Studies have also shown that when T-type channels are blocked, either pharmacological or with small hairpin RNA targeted against T-type channel Cav3.1 subunit, mRNA levels are reduced and cell proliferation is inhibited. These results suggest a connection between T-type calcium channels and cell proliferation. In this thesis, Cav3.1 and its possible interplay with cyclin D, an early marker of the cell cycle, was investigated. The time course of cyclin D's translocation to the nucleus to begin the …


Expression And Regulation Of Osteopontin In The Diabetic Heart, Abigail Goodman Jan 2011

Expression And Regulation Of Osteopontin In The Diabetic Heart, Abigail Goodman

Dissertations

Diabetes leads to several alterations in cardiac structure, one of which is fibrosis of the ventricular myocardium. Myocardial fibrosis is a common underlying factor in most cardiac pathologies. Osteopontin (OPN) is a small phospho-protein that has been implicated in fibrotic tissue remodeling. In the heart, the expression of OPN protein is increased after acute and chronic pathologies. Upregulation of OPN coincides with a transition to heart failure and a direct role for OPN in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy to heart failure has been reported.

The overall objective of this project is to determine if OPN is upregulated in the …


A Systematic Approach For Engagement Analysis Under Multitasking Environments, Guangfan Zhang, John Leddo, Roger Xu, Carl Richey, Tom Schnell, Frederick Mckenzie, Jiang Li, Thomas E. Pinelli (Ed.) Jan 2011

A Systematic Approach For Engagement Analysis Under Multitasking Environments, Guangfan Zhang, John Leddo, Roger Xu, Carl Richey, Tom Schnell, Frederick Mckenzie, Jiang Li, Thomas E. Pinelli (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

An overload condition can lead to high stress for an operator and further cause substantial drops in performance. On the other extreme, in automated systems, an operator may become underloaded; in which case, it is difficult for the operator to maintain sustained attention. When an unexpected event occurs, either internal or external to the automated system, a disengaged operation may neglect, misunderstand, or respond slowly/inappropriately to the situation. In this paper, we discuss a systematic approach monitor for extremes of cognitive workload and engagement in multitasking environments. Inferences of cognitive workload and engagement are based on subjective evaluations, objective performance …


The Potential Role Of Innate Immunity In The Pathogenesis Of Post-Operative Adhesions, Jennell White Jan 2011

The Potential Role Of Innate Immunity In The Pathogenesis Of Post-Operative Adhesions, Jennell White

Wayne State University Dissertations

Post-operative adhesion development occurs in the vast majority of patients following abdominal surgery and is a natural occurrence of peritoneal-wound healing. These fibrous bands may form within the first 5-7 days post-surgery and have the ability to cause a distortion in the normal anatomical positioning of abdominal organs. Consequently, adhesions are major contributors to small bowel obstruction, infertility, and severe pelvic and abdominal pain. Physiological processes responsible for adhesion formation remain obscure though it is believed to involve cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of several cell types including mesothelial cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory and immune cells. Substances released from these …


Changes In The Expression Of Thin Filament-Associated Proteins In Colonic Smooth Muscle From Mice During Inflammation, Reem Alkahtani Jan 2011

Changes In The Expression Of Thin Filament-Associated Proteins In Colonic Smooth Muscle From Mice During Inflammation, Reem Alkahtani

Theses and Dissertations

The contractility of smooth muscle in inflammatory bowel disease and experimental colitis is reduced due to inhibition of neurotransmitter release and a decrease in the response of smooth muscle to contractile agonists. We and others have shown that inflammation induced by TNBS treatment alters the expression and/or activity of signaling molecules involved in the regulation of Ca2+ mobilization, MLC20 phosphorylation and contraction in colonic smooth muscle. Although, thin filament- associated proteins such as calponin, caldesmon, tropomyosin and smoothelin do not directly participate in contraction, they regulate acto-myosin interaction and thus, muscle contraction. Calponin, caldesmon and tropomyosin inhibit actomyosin interaction and …


Renal Epithelial Sodium Channel (Enac) Regulation Of Pregnancy Mediated Hemodynamic Adaptations: Mechanistic Insights, Crystal West Jan 2011

Renal Epithelial Sodium Channel (Enac) Regulation Of Pregnancy Mediated Hemodynamic Adaptations: Mechanistic Insights, Crystal West

Theses and Dissertations

Pregnancy-mediated sodium (Na) retention is required to provide an increase in plasma volume for the growing fetus. The mechanisms responsible for this Na retention are not clear. In the first study, we generated a renal tubule protein profile indicating α ENaC as the only sodium transport protein upregulated in mid and late pregnancy. To determine the in vivo activity of ENaC we conducted in vivo studies in late pregnant rats (day 18-20) and virgin rats to measure the natriuretic response to ENaC blockade (with benzamil). The in vivo activity of ENaC (UNaV post benzamil - UNaV post vehicle) was markedly …


A Comparative Study Of Eucalanoid Copepods Residing In Different Oxygen Environments In The Eastern Tropical North Pacific: An Emphasis On Physiology And Biochemistry, Christine J. Cass Jan 2011

A Comparative Study Of Eucalanoid Copepods Residing In Different Oxygen Environments In The Eastern Tropical North Pacific: An Emphasis On Physiology And Biochemistry, Christine J. Cass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The eastern tropical north Pacific (ETNP) is characterized by one of the ocean's most severe midwater oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen levels are often less than 5 µM. The copepod family Eucalanidae is a numerically abundant and diverse zooplankton group in the ETNP, and displays a wide range of vertical distributions related to environmental oxygen concentrations. The goal of this dissertation was to develop a better understanding of the ecology, physiology, and biochemistry of closely related copepod species (family Eucalanidae) that inhabit the ETNP OMZ system. This was accomplished through examining different parameters relating to (1) metabolic rates, (2) …