Physiology Commons^™

Functional Studies Of Novel Mosquito Stage-Specific Genes In The Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium Berghei., Kaitlyn Kiernan

Master's Theses

The development and survival of the malaria parasite Plasmodium within its mosquito vector is not very well understood. When the parasite is taken up by an Anopheles mosquito, it is exposed to digestive enzymes, reactive oxygen species, increasing pH, decreasing temperature, and a diverse microbial flora. Our lab is studying the adaptive mechanisms underlying parasite survival in this hostile environment, one of which is movement out of the midgut. In order to escape the midgut, the parasite develops into an elongated, motile form called the ookinete. I am investigating two genes, thioredoxin-like protein 1 (trxl-1) and subpellicular microtubule protein 1 …

The Effects Of Trehalose On Osmotic Tolerance, Membrane Integrity And Quality Of Equine Sperm During Cold Storage And Cryopreservation, Dissaya Srinutiyakorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of trehalose on osmotic tolerance and the quality of equine sperm before and after freezing and thawing. Equine ejaculated semen was collected from six stallions (3 ejaculates per stallion; >50% motility and >70% normal morphology). In the present study, the osmotic tolerance limit of equine sperm to osmotic changes was firstly verified, and followed with the protective effects of trehalose on osmotic tolerance of equine sperm. In the study, sperm was exposed to Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) medium at different osmolalities: isosmolality (300 mOsm/kg; control) and anisosmolality (150, 450, 600 and …

Diabetes-Induced Expression And Regulation Of Glp-1 Levels By Bile Acid Receptors (Tgr5 & Fxr), Joseph R. Spengler

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes Mellitus has continued to drastically affect the health of the world and many complications can prove fatal. As long as this metabolic disease persist, research discoveries will need to continue to be made so that patient outcomes and healthcare are dramatically enhanced. In recent years, GLP-1 has been the topic of conversation for diabetes research, due to its promising effects in promoting insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, bile acids and their receptors (TGR5 & FXR) have shown promise in their actions in the regulation of GLP-1, and thus glucose homeostasis. Here we have shown the detection and increased expression of TGR5 …

Hydrogen Peroxide And Pharmacological Agent Modulation Of Trpv2 Channel Gating, Tuoxin Cao

Theses and Dissertations

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 channel (TRPV2) is a Ca²⁺-permeable ion channel that is highly expressed in leukocytes but is also present in skeletal and cardiac muscle and endocrine cells. The TRPV2 function is implicated in a number of physiological processes, including bacterial phagocytosis, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, cardiac hypertrophy, and cancer development. TRPV2 knockout mice exhibit a high incidence of perinatal mortality, arguing that the channel plays essential roles in physiology. Despite the importance of TRPV2 for normal homeostasis, the mechanisms that control TRPV2 gating in response to pharmacological agonists, heating, membrane stretch, bioactive lipids and reactive oxygen …

Tissue Factor Expression, Regulation, And Signaling In Human Airway Cells, Michael D. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Rationale: Tissue Factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that canonically functions as the initiator of the coagulation cascade. Increased levels of TF have been associated with inflammatory airway diseases. Since lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to elicit and inflammatory response in airway epithelium, we hypothesized that airway epithelial cells release TF when exposed to LPS. Since TF aids in local wound healing, we also hypothesized that inhibition of TF would decrease NHBE growth. The specific aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of LPS exposure on TF production and release from airway epithelia and determine the signaling pathways involved. …

Po2 Dependence Of Oxygen Consumption In Skeletal Muscle Of Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Rats, Alexander C. Liles

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

PO₂ DEPENDENCE OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN SKELETAL MUSCLE OF DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC RATS

By: Alexander C. Liles

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at the Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017

Advisor: Roland N. Pittman, Ph.D.

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major medical problem around the world, affecting nearly 6% of the world’s population. This study was an attempt to better understand physiological changes the disease may cause to the microcirculation and more specifically, to …

Influence Of Topography And Moisture And Nutrient Availability On Green Alder Function On The Low Arctic Tundra, Nt, Katherine Louise Black Ms., Jennifer Lynn Baltzer Dr.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The Arctic has warmed by at least 3^°C over the past 50 years and this rapid warming is expected to continue. Climate warming is driving the proliferation of shrubs across the tundra biome with implications for energy balance, climate, hydrology, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. Changes in tundra plant water use attributable to shrub expansion are predicted to increase evapotranspirative water loss which may amplify local warming and reduce run-off. However, little is known about the extent to which shrubs will enhance evapotranspirative water loss in these systems. Direct measures of shrub water use are needed to accurately predict …

Developmental Immunity Of The Skeletal Elements Of The Weberian Apparatus To The Effects Of Exogenous Estrogen (17-Β Estradiol), A Known Disruptor Of Cartliage Development, Bailey Jordan Wetherell

Honors Program Theses

Proper vertebrate development is controlled by a tightly regulated sequence of gene activation and repression. Exposure to both endogenous (hormones, gene products) and exogenous (environmental chemicals, toxins, etc.) substances during development can have profound effects on morphology by altering growth, cell fate, cell differentiation, and cell migration. Waterways have long been hot-spots for chemical and toxin accumulation, due to runoff and waste dumping. Growing concern is being paid to endocrine disruptors, like estrogen (17β-estradiol), which are found in increasing levels in rivers and streams. Endocrine disruptors are known to cause a varied number of defects in fish species, but the …