Physiology Commons^™

Mechanism Of Nitric Oxide Induced Sympatholysis In Rat Soleus Feed Arteries, Madelyn Whitaker, Jeffrey Jasperse, Tanner Heckle

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

During exercise, the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) binds to arterial adrenergic receptors to cause vasoconstriction, yet arteries and arterioles constrict less to sympathetic stimulation in contracting compared to resting skeletal muscle (sympatholysis). Previous evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) can be sympatholytic, but the mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that NO causes sympatholysis in rat soleus muscle feed arteries, that NO is released from vascular endothelial cells by increased shear stress, and that NO acts through a guanylyl cyclase intracellular signaling pathway. Soleus feed arteries (n = 12 per group) were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats and cannulated on two glass …

Human Optimization And Performance Enhancement In Flight Via Real-Time Biofeedback (Project Have Hope), Michael S. Fritts

Theses and Dissertations

A four-phase, chronological, and build-up approach was implemented that commenced with basic hardware testing in a centrifuge and culminated in flights augmented by real-time biofeedback displays. A prototype Portable Electrocardiogram Unit (PECGU) was designed and proven to accurately measure heart rate (HR) and display percent heart rate reserve (%HRR). Results showed that %HRR was not a sole predictor of cognitive state. Cognitive responses indicated some correlation with %HRR, but were influenced by environment (centrifuge vs. flight). Subjective perceived exertion levels did not show statistically significant changes during test with biofeedback. A G-tracking task was evaluated during centrifuge and flight tests. …

Developmental Ethanol Exposure Causes Reduced Feeding And Reveals A Critical Role For Neuropeptide F In Survival, Amanda Guevara, Hillary Gates, Brianna Urbina, Rachael French

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

Food intake is necessary for survival, and natural reward circuitry has evolved to help ensure that animals ingest sufficient food to maintain development, growth, and survival. Drugs of abuse, including alcohol, co-opt the natural reward circuitry in the brain, and this is a major factor in the reinforcement of drug behaviors leading to addiction. At the junction of these two aspects of reward are alterations in feeding behavior due to alcohol consumption. In particular, developmental alcohol exposure (DAE) results in a collection of physical and neurobehavioral disorders collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The deleterious effects of …

Increased Liver Tumor Formation In Neutral Sphingomyelinase-2-Deficient Mice, Liansheng Zhong, Ji Na Kong, Michael B. Dinkins, Silvia Leanhart, Zhihui Zhu, Stefka D. Spassieva, Haiyan Qin, Hsuan-Pei Lin, Ahmed Elsherbini, Rebecca Wang, Xue Jiang, Mariana N. Nikolova‑Karakashian, Guanghu Wang, Erhard Bieberich

Physiology Faculty Publications

Sphingolipids are key signaling lipids in cancer. Genome-wide studies have identified neutral SMase-2 (nSMase2), an enzyme generating ceramide from SM, as a potential repressor for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, little is known about the sphingolipids regulated by nSMase2 and their roles in liver tumor development. We discovered growth of spontaneous liver tumors in 27.3% (9 of 33) of aged male nSMase2-deficient (fro/fro) mice. Lipidomics analysis showed a marked increase of SM in the tumor. Unexpectedly, tumor tissues presented with more than a 7-fold increase of C₁₆-ceramide, concurrent with upregulation of ceramide synthase 5. The fro/fro liver tumor, …

A Model-Based Approach For Estimation Of Changes In Lumbar Segmental Kinematics Associated With Alterations In Trunk Muscle Forces, Iman Shojaei, Navid Arjmand, Judith R. Meakin, Babak Bazrgari

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

The kinematics information from imaging, if combined with optimization-based biomechanical models, may provide a unique platform for personalized assessment of trunk muscle forces (TMFs). Such a method, however, is feasible only if differences in lumbar spine kinematics due to differences in TMFs can be captured by the current imaging techniques. A finite element model of the spine within an optimization procedure was used to estimate segmental kinematics of lumbar spine associated with five different sets of TMFs. Each set of TMFs was associated with a hypothetical trunk neuromuscular strategy that optimized one aspect of lower back biomechanics. For each set …

Developing Novel Therapeutics For Bacterial Lung Infections, Brandon J. Baer, Ruud Veldhuizen, Cory Yamashita

Western Research Forum

Background: Bacterial lung infections are leading causes of death worldwide. Unfortunately, increasing resistance to antibiotics and the inflammation often accompanying these infections are leading to poor outcomes despite antibiotic intervention. Complicating treatment further, the tree-like branching structure of the lung makes drug delivery to distal sites of infection difficult. Our research aims to address these challenges by developing new therapeutics and new tools to improve and assess drug delivery, bacterial killing and inflammation. Our therapy combines host defense peptides, which have been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and down regulate inflammation, with a pulmonary vehicle, exogenous surfactant, that can improve …

Maternal Protein Restriction (Mpr): A Risk Factor For Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Ards), Reza Khazaee

Western Research Forum

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined as severe lung dysfunction. The lung impairments in ARDS result from alterations to pulmonary surfactant; a lipid-protein mixture coating the inside of the lung and maintains the lungs’ ability to expand easily. Due to a lack of effective pharmacological therapies mortality associated with ARDS is over 30%. Our research focuses on risk factors that indicate a susceptibility to the disease, which could provide new and early therapeutic options. One such potential risk factor is Maternal Protein Restriction (MPR). MPR is defined by low birth weight and contributes to a variety of adult-onset …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Valued readers, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that this is the last issue of Killi-Data News. The good news is that we will be back as Killifish Research Review. The dissolution of Killi-Data International created a prob- lem: how can the newsletter of a defunct organization live on without that organization? But other additional problems were building in the background. The first issue numbered 15 pages. The previous issue was 28 pages. The number of killifish related papers is increasing while time on our end (the editorial team) is running out. It takes a lot …

Killi-Data News (Fall), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Many interesting papers have been published over the last three months. The large volume of papers coupled with the start of the new college semester (and the workload it brings) delayed this issue of Killi-Data News. But better late than never—or so I hope! In this issue Richard van der Laan provides an insightful review of the recent Aphanius papers as to their taxonomic implications and questions. The systematic issues he raises show the importance of the Molecular project: we need to get more samples of the various cyprinodontiforme families to resolve unsettled systematic and taxonomic issues. In the Next …

Killi-Data News (Summer), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Over the last three months several interesting and exciting pa- pers have been published. By now most of you have heard the Nothobranchius fish poo news emanating from the Valenzano lab. That paper is reviewed and certainly has repercussions for the health of our captive fish. Polaçik et al have published interesting data with ramifications as to how we breed and incubate annual killifish. The big news in this issue is the paper from the Reznick lab which Jean Huber reviews. The contents of that paper goes to the heart of the question of just what a killifish is. The …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the fourth edition, and concluding issue of the first volume, of Killi-Data News and I am happy that it has been well received by readers. At 25 pages this issue is a bit thin- ner than the last but this is because we agreed to make the cut-off for submissions the 1 st of December so we could get this edition out by the New Year. This is an exciting edition full of new species descrip- tions and analyses that will keep taxonomists busy for years to come. Costa has given us two molecular phylogenies on Melanorivulus as …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Non-Invasive Detection Of Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Transfer Using A Genetically Encoded Cest-Mri Reporter Gene In The Murine Heart, Shelby Meier, Assaf A. Gilad, Jason Anthony Brandon, Chenghao Qian, Erhe Gao, Jose F. Abisambra, Moriel Vandsburger

Physiology Faculty Publications

Research into gene therapy for heart failure has gained renewed interest as a result of improved safety and availability of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV). While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is standard for functional assessment of gene therapy outcomes, quantitation of gene transfer/expression relies upon tissue biopsy, fluorescence or nuclear imaging. Imaging of gene expression through the use of genetically encoded chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST)-MRI reporter genes could be combined with clinical cardiac MRI methods to comprehensively probe therapeutic gene expression and subsequent outcomes. The CEST-MRI reporter gene Lysine Rich Protein (LRP) was cloned into an AAV9 vector and either …

The Influence Of Body Armor On Balance And Movement Quality, Roger O. Kollock Jr, Davis Hale, Rachele E. Vogelpohl, Logan Kremer, Christian Cox, Josh Horner, Matt Allen

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(1): 648-656, 2018. Body armor is essential to the protection of military personnel; however, body armor may impede the users balance and movement quality. A better understanding of the influence of body armor on balance and movement quality may help in the development of new guidelines for training standards and procedures to mitigate the risk of injury associated with wearing of body armor in warfighters. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of body armor (combat boots, tactical vest and combat helmet) on balance and movement quality in male military cadets and …

A Combinatorial Premotor Neural Code: Transformation Of Sensory Information Into Meaningful Rhythmic Motor Output By A Network Of Heterogeneous Modulatory Neurons, Christopher John Goldsmith

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of the following research was to investigate the contributions of neural networks in selecting distinct variants of rhythmic motor activity. We used the premotor commissural ganglion (CoG) in the stomatogastric nervous system of the Jonah crab to understand how this network effectively controls the rhythms produced in downstream motor circuits. Prior research determined that individual CoG neurons are necessary to mediate sensory-induced variation in the effected motor patterns. However, single premotor neuron inputs to the STG are not sufficient to recreate the patterns induced by the selective activation of sensory pathways. Thus, it was hypothesized that the CoG-mediated …

An Individualized, Perception-Based Protocol To Investigate Human Physiological Responses To Cooling, Crystal L. Coolbaugh, Emily C. Bush, Elizabeth S. Galenti, E Brian Welch, Theodore F. Towse

Peer Reviewed Articles

Cold exposure, a known stimulant of the thermogenic effects of brown adipose tissue (BAT), is the most widely used method to study BAT physiology in adult humans. Recently, individualized cooling has been recommended to standardize the physiological cold stress applied across participants, but critical experimental details remain unclear. The purpose of this work was to develop a detailed methodology for an individualized, perception-based protocol to investigate human physiological responses to cooling. Participants were wrapped in two water-circulating blankets and fitted with skin temperature probes to estimate BAT activity and peripheral vasoconstriction. We created a thermoesthesia graphical user interface (tGUI) to …

Mindfulness And Affective Responses To Treadmill Walking In Individuals With Low Intrinsic Motivation To Exercise, Anne E. Cox, Madeline A. Roberts, Hailey L. Cates, Amanda K. Mcmahon

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(5): 609-624, 2018. An aversion to the sensations of physical exertion can deter engagement in physical activity. This is due in part to an associative focus in which individuals are attending to uncomfortable interoceptive cues. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of mindfulness on affective valence, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and enjoyment during treadmill walking. Participants (N=23; M_age=19.26, SD = 1.14) were only included in the study if they engaged in no more than moderate levels of physical activity and reported low levels of intrinsic motivation. …

Crae Training Reduces Insulin Resistance And Central Adiposity In Obese Adolescent Females, Rebecca Cuthbert

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

CRAE Training Reduces Insulin Resistance and Central Adiposity in Obese Adolescent Females

Rebecca Cuthbert, Leena P Bharath, William W Choi, Jae-min Cho, Alexus A Skobodzinski, Alexei Wong, Ty E Sweeney, Dustin Slivka, Song-Young Park University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

Exercise training is recommended for maintaining health and reducing the risks of developing metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies. Combined resistance and aerobic exercise (CRAE) training has been utilized to decrease metabolic risk factors in obese adults. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of CRAE on obese adolescent females with hyperinsulinemia. METHODS: Forty obese adolescent females aged 14.7 ± 1 years (BMI …

Time Course Toward Baseline Of Hand-To-Foot Bia Measures Following An Acute Bout Of Aerobic Exercise, Brett S. Nickerson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(2): 640-647, 2018. The purpose of this study was to determine the time course of BIA-derived body fat percentage (BF%) and total body water (TBW) values in the 1 h following a moderate bout (60% heart rate reserve [HRR]) of steady state aerobic exercise in apparently healthy men. College-aged adult males (n=15) had their BF% and TBW estimated via BIA before (PRE), immediately (IP), 10 min (10P), 20 min (20P), 30 min (30P), 40 min (40P), 50 min (50P), and 60 min (60P) post a 30 min bout of moderate treadmill exercise. Exercise intensity was …

Characterization Of The Roles Of Muscle-Synthesized Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor And Presynaptic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase B In Motor Neuron Axonal Transport, Luke A. Vanosdol

All NMU Master's Theses

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a small, diffusible protein essential for the development and function of neurons. It is synthesized by many types of tissue, including muscle. BDNF actions are mediated via binding to its receptor, tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). The BDNF-TrkB complex is endocytosed into a specialized vesicle, which induces downstream signaling cascades locally in the dendrites, or, more often, is delivered to the cell soma via retrograde axonal transport, where it modulates gene expression. BDNF activation of TrkB is critical for the initiation of axonal transport, and this cellular process relies on the interaction of numerous adaptor …

Comparative Proteomics: Assessing The Variation In Molecular Physiology Within The Adductor Muscle Between Mytilus Galloprovincialis And Mytilus Trossulus In Response To Acute Heat Stress, Joshua Scott Mier

Master's Theses

Increases in seawater temperatures have imposed physiological constraints which are partially thought to contribute to recently observed shifts in biogeographic distribution among closely related intertidal ectotherms. For instance, Mytilus galloprovincialis an introduced warm-adapted species from the Mediterranean, has displaced the native cold-adapted congener, M. trossulus, over large latitudinal expanses off the California coast. Several comparative physiological studies have revealed interspecific differences in thermal tolerance, including variation in aerobic metabolism and gape behavior, which suggest the invasive congener is better adapted to acclimate to increasing seawater conditions as predicted due to climate change. However, current analyses seek to discover the …

A Description Of Physical Activity Outcomes During Beginning Curling, Britton Johnson, Alyssa Vanbelkum, Justin Kraft

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(6): 633-639, 2018. Identifying and promoting activities which enable participants to meet exercise guidelines is important for promoting a healthy society. The purpose of this study was to describe activity levels of novice participants during participation in the sport of curling. Participants included 29 novice curlers who were either enrolled in a beginning curling class at a local university or novice members in a city-wide curling league. The average exercise duration was 81.3 ± 19.8 minutes and variables monitored included heart rate (HR), steps, and estimated METs. Results indicated an average HR: 106 ± 12 …

The Effect Of The Menstrual Cycle On The Reliability Of Contact-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzers, Emily A. Cumberledge, Cassandra Myers, Jennifer J. Venditti, Curt B. Dixon, Joseph L. Andreacci

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 625-632, 2018. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a noninvasive and relatively inexpensive method of assessing body composition. Manufacturers of BIA technology recommend to avoid testing women when they perceive to be retaining water during the menstrual cycle. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of the menstrual cycle on body composition determined by contact-electrode BIA analyzers. Forty-three college-aged women volunteered to participate in this study (age=21.2 ± 1.1 years; body mass index = 24.0 ± 3.7 kg/m²). Subjects had their body composition assessed using four different contact-electrode BIA …

Evaluating Energy Expenditure Estimated By Wearable Technology During Variable Intensity Activity On Female Collegiate Athletes, Monica Taylor, Elizabeth Nagle, Fredric Goss, Elaine Rubinstein, Andrew Simonson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 598-608, 2018. Monitoring an athlete’s energy intake and energy expenditure (EE) is an important consideration of nutritional planning for sport conditioning and peak performance. In order to provide appropriate recommendations regarding nutritional requirements and caloric needs, an accurate determination of energy requirements is necessary. By knowing an individual’s EE, a coach, athletic performance staff or trainer can effectively determine training loads and volumes necessary for periodization and seasonal planning for a particular sport. The purpose of this study is to examine the accuracy of the BodyMedia Mini armband while measuring EE in female basketball …

Examination Of Resistance Settings Based On Body Weight For The 3-Minute All-Out Critical Power Test, Marlene J. Schulte, Jody L. Clasey, Bradley S. Fleenor, Haley C. Bergstrom

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 585-597, 2018. There are conflicting suggestions regarding the most valid resistance (3-5% of body weight) to use for the critical power (CP) 3-min all-out (CP_3min) test to estimate CP and anaerobic work capacity (AWC). The purpose of this study was to determine if the CP and AWC estimates from the CP_3min test were affected by the percentage of body weight used to set the resistance on a Monark cycle ergometer. Ten recreationally trained participants (mean ± SD: Age: 22.2 ± 2.2 yrs.) completed the CP_3min test at resistances of 4.5% …

Congruent Accuracy Of Wrist-Worn Activity Trackers During Controlled And Free-Living Conditions, Christopher J. Dondzila, Colleen Lewis, Justin R. Lopez, Tonya Parker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 575-584, 2018. To examine activity tracker accuracy for measuring steps, energy expenditure, and heart rate in controlled and free-living conditions. Forty participants performed four, five-minute stages (walking: 53.7 m∙min-1, 80.5 m∙min-1; running: 134.1 m∙min-1, 160.9 m∙min-1) while wearing the Fitbit Charge HR (FB) and the Mio FUSE (MF) activity trackers. Measurements included steps, energy expenditure (kcals), and heart rate (beats∙min-1). In addition to the FB and MF, participants wore the NL-1000 (NL) activity tracker during waking hours of the subsequent day. One way ANOVAs with Tukey’s post hoc analyses were performed to compare mean …

Behavior Change Techniques And Physical Activity Using The Fitbit Flex®, Emily E. Dunn, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 561-574, 2018. Due to the availability of low-cost accelerometers, there has been an increase in the adoption of physical activity monitors (e.g., Fitbit®) (14) accompanied by a desire to understand the behavior change techniques (BCTs; 15) present in such monitors. One specific Fitbit® monitor incorporates 20 BCTs (15), but how users experience these BCTs has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to explore user’s experience with the Fitbit Flex® regarding physical activity behavior and BCTs. The specific research objectives were to: 1) describe Fitbit Flex® users and 2) explore user’s …

Validation Of Piezorx Pedometer Derived Sedentary Time, Katelynn Donahoe, Dany Macdonald, Mark Tremblay, Travis Saunders

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 552-560, 2018. Although pedometers are valid tools for measuring physical activity, to date they have not been used to assess sedentary time. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the PiezoRx pedometer is a valid and reliable measure of sedentary time compared to the hip-worn Actical accelerometer. A secondary purpose was to compare sedentary time derived via the Fitbit Flex with that of the Actical. Finally, a third purpose was to compare sedentary time derived from the above devices, with that of the ActivPAL inclinometer. Thirty-five participants ages 11-69 years (M …

Validation Of The Piezorx® Step Count And Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity Times In Free Living Conditions In Adults: A Pilot Study, Myles W. O'Brien, William R. Wojcik, Lisette D' Entremont, Jonathon R. Fowles

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 541-551, 2018. The purpose of the study was to: 1) Validate the PiezoRx® for steps and intensity related physical activity in free-living conditions compared to the criterion measure. 2) Compare PiezoRx®’s steps and intensity related physical activity to physiological assessments. 3) To assess the utility of the PiezoRx® in a subsample of participants. Thirty-nine participants consisting of 28 females aged 54.9±10.6 (33-74) years and 11 males aged 63.9±10.9 (44-80) years wore the PiezoRx® physical activity monitor and the ActiGraph® accelerometer for one full week and completed a physical assessment. A subsample (n=24) wore the …