Physiology Commons^™

A Series Of Investigations On The L. Cornutus Host System And Bivesiculid Sp. Cercariae, Briana K. Zaffiro

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Rising global temperatures are likely modulating parasite-host interactions, yet the direction and magnitude of these changes remain uncertain. Rarely are these interactions viewed from both a host and parasite perspective. Using both CT_max, or Critical Thermal Maximum, and Clark-type polarographic oxygen microelectrodes, the physiological metabolic effects are investigated. CT_max is examined in Common Shiners, Luxilis cornutus, and is shown to be modulated by parasitism: uninfected fish had the highest CT_max average of 37.0°C, whereas heavily infected fish had decreased CT_max averaging 35°C. Prior to the parasite metabolic investigation, a suitable medium was determined, as …

Acute Physiological Responses To Rope Climbing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training In Males And Females, Hannah K. Eberhardt, Matthew F. Brisebois, Matthew A. Yeomans, Patrick G. Saracino

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1355-1366, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/EAFV3707 This study aimed to assess the acute physiological responses to a single bout of rope climbing high-intensity interval training (RC-HIIT) and compare the responses between sexes as no data currently exists on this training modality. Following an overnight fast, body composition was assessed, and resting measurements were recorded. Participants then completed an exercise protocol consisting of 10 rounds of maximal effort rope climbing using a 30:60 second work:rest ratio. Gas analysis and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously. Blood lactate (BLa) was measured following the final work interval. Participants remained seated …

Metabolic Regulation Of Cardiac Fibroblast Phenotype And Function., Collin Kleis Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiac fibroblasts are central effectors of cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI). In response to signaling cues, they differentiate to a range of phenotypes with robust capacities to synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix (ECM) and signaling molecules. Although activated fibroblast phenotypes are associated with pronounced changes in metabolism, it remains unclear how the metabolic network upholds the effector functions of fibroblasts in the post-infarcted heart. Here, we identified that critical enzymes in the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) cycle, i.e. pyruvate kinase muscle-2 (PKM2) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-2 (PCK2), are elevated in the heart after MI and examined their role in regulating post-MI remodeling …

Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between A High Added Sugar Diet And Disease, Anna Collins

Senior Honors Theses

The modern diet includes many processed foods that contain added sugars, resulting in a significant increase in daily glucose and fructose consumption. Considering this, there is an increased effort to uncover the effects of excess sugar intake on the body’s health and metabolism. Strong evidence supports the connection between a high added sugar diet and the presence of chronic, low-grade inflammation due to cellular distress and metabolic dysfunction. Prolonged inflammatory responses are linked to tissue damage and the development of various metabolic diseases that are prevalent in modern society, such as obesity, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 …

Impacts Of Temperature Acclimation On Swimming Performance And Metabolic Dynamics Of The Amargosa River Pupfish, Cyprinodon Nevadensis Amargosae, Teresa E. Guerre

Master's Theses

Climate change is leading to warmer atmospheric temperatures in many regions of the world, which in turn is raising the temperatures of aquatic habitats and simultaneously shifting the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation events. In fishes, metabolic demands are higher under warmer conditions, while dissolved oxygen levels typically decline in warmer water. This mismatch may limit the ability of fishes to cope with high water flow events like floods that can occur following extreme rainfall. A few species of pupfishes (genus Cyprinodon) in the Death Valley region of California and Nevada, USA, occupy stream or river habitats with …

Editorial: Frontiers In The Midlands Society Of Physiological Sciences (2023-2024), Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Hong Zheng, Surabhi Chandra, Harold D. Schultz, William C.W. Chen

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

No abstract provided.

Characterizing And Targeting The Non-Catalytic Functions Of Phosphatase Of Regenerating Liver 3 (Prl-3) In Oncogenesis And Cancer Progression, Jeffery T. Jolly

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL-3) is frequently upregulated in various cancers and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Although traditionally studied for its phosphatase activity, PRL-3 also interacts with the CNNM family of magnesium transporters through its catalytic site, and these two functions are mutually exclusive at any given time. Most previous studies relied on a commonly used PRL-3 mutation that disrupts both phosphatase activity and CNNM binding, making it challenging to determine which function drives its oncogenic effects. To address this gap in the field, I utilized a panel of PRL-3 mutants that selectively disrupt either phosphatase activity …

Metabolic And Barrier Function In Response To Β-Caryophyllene In Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Hannah Scroggins

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, regulates cellular metabolism and energy status in intestinal epithelial cells. β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a plant-derived compound that may provide advantageous effects on intestinal barrier function and nutrient utilization. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the effects of BCP on butyrate utilization and metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells. Throughout this thesis, Caco-2 cells in hanging inserts in multi-well plates were used as a model for the intestinal barrier. One study was conducted to investigate the effect of BCP on butyrate utilization and barrier function in intestinal epithelial cells. A second study aimed to elucidate …

Lactate's Role In Appetite Suppression, Seth Mccarthy

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Once considered metabolic waste produced during exercise, lactate is now known to have diverse roles in biology. Muscle-derived lactate can travel through the bloodstream and be taken up by other tissues and i) oxidized, ii) converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis, or iii) bind to its receptor to trigger molecular signaling cascades. Lactate has been described as a “myokine” capable of inter-organ crosstalk and compelling evidence demonstrates lactate’s role as a signalling molecule in pathways related to the regulation of appetite. The purpose of this dissertation was to further elucidate lactate’s role in appetite regulation using series of studies aimed at …

The Anti-Diabetic Drug Metformin Disrupts Feeding And Sleeping Behaviors In Drosophila Melanogaster, Lucas Fitzgerald

The Cardinal Edge

Dimethylbiguanide, also known as metformin, is the single most prescribed oral treatment for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, in western countries. The primary mechanism of action that metformin acts through is the activation of AMP kinase, an important regulator of energy homeostasis. While the anti-diabetic effects of metformin are well documented, its effects on feeding and sleeping behaviors are not well characterized. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, the mean daily quantity of food consumed was measured and compared between groups treated with several dosages of metformin. Feeding interactions such as meal frequency and length were …

Sex- And Age-Specific Differences In Mice Fed A Ketogenic Diet, Kenyon W. Sprankle, Mya Knappenberger, Erica J. Locke, Jack Thompson, Madison Vinovrski, Kaylin Knapsack, Stephen C. Kolwicz Jr.

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that results in the elevation of serum ketone bodies, known as ketosis. This metabolic consequence has been suggested as a method for treating neurological conditions, improving exercise performance, and facilitating weight loss for overweight individuals. However, since most research primarily uses male populations, little is known about the potential sex differences during the consumption of the KD. In addition, the effects of the KD on aging are relatively unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore sex- and age-specific differences in mice fed the KD. Male and female C57BL/6N …

Gpr75 Deficiency Attenuates High Fat Diet-Driven Obesity And Glucose Intolerance, Sakib Hossain

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Recently, a collaboration between Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the Schwartzman-Garcia labs at New York Medical College published an exome sequencing study of individuals across the United Kingdom, United States, and Mexico which concluded that individuals possessing non-functioning, truncated mutations to the orphan g protein coupled receptor (GPCR), GPR75, had lower BMI and 54% reduced likelihood of obesity. The present study was undertaken to fully characterize the metabolic phenotype of Gpr75 deficient mice when fed a high fat diet (HFD) and explore potential mechanisms by which GPR75 activation links to increased adiposity and decreased glucose tolerance. After 14 weeks of HFD-feeding we …

Rewired Metabolism In Apoe4 Microglia: Implications For Inflammation And Neurodegeneration, Nicholas A. Devanney

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Among the earliest changes to occur in Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic dysfunction and chronic neuroinflammation are now known to be major driving forces in disease progression. The paradigm of ‘immunometabolism’ seeks to bridge these two facets, positing that metabolic transformations are indispensable in determining the response of immune cells, such as microglia – the brain’s resident immune population. Proinflammatory stimulation of microglia leads to a shift away from mitochondrial respiration towards a dramatic upregulation of the glycolysis pathway for energy production. This glycolytic burst provides microglia with a rapid supply of ATP, but comes at a cost, as utilizing glucose to …

The Effects Of Sex On Zebrafish Bone Metabolism, Simon Bagatto

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I investigated the effects of diet and sex on zebrafish bone metabolism. Zebrafish were subjected to either a high-calorie or low-calorie diet over a five-week period. After this diet, zebrafish scales were used to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme activity with a fluorescent substrate. The enzyme activities were markers of the osteoblasts (ALP) and the osteoclasts (TRAP). These data were compared among sex and diet of the zebrafish using a repeated measures ANOVA statistical test. I also measured the number of resorption lacunae per scale (another indicator of osteoclast activity). The results showed higher TRAP …

Multilevel Phenotypic Integration Of Metabolism And Behavior In House Sparrows And Mice, Tim Salzman

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Patterns of multilevel variation in behavior, both within and among individuals, raise challenging questions about underlying mechanisms and the selective pressures acting on them. One intriguing hypothesis is that physiology shows parallel multilevel variation, and so might represent a latent trait that integrates multilevel behavioral responses. For example, foraging acquires the fuel needed to maintain metabolism, and in turn, an individual’s metabolism affects expression of foraging, and other, behaviors. Metabolism and behavior thus might coevolve to become integrated traits. Despite the appeal of this hypothesis, numerous investigations into the link between metabolism and behavior have yielded largely equivocal results.

To …

How Aquatic Insects Mitigate Temperature-Oxygen Challenges Via Behavioral, Morphological, And Physiological Plasticity, Jackson H. Birrell

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

How do organisms respond to environmental challenges and to environmental change? These questions occupy a central place in ecology and answering them will help us to understand why species live where they do, how organisms are affected by human activities, and, ultimately, how to choose among alternative conservation strategies. These questions are difficult, however, for two reasons. First, environmental challenges often involve multiple, interacting stressors. Second, individual responses can be modified by behavioral, morphological, and physiological plasticity. My dissertation investigates how interactions between temperature and oxygen influence the performance and survival of aquatic insects and how plasticity allows individuals to …

Sex Differences In Endothelial Function, Metabolism, And Sleep: Responses To Disrupted Circadian Rhythms, Olga Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Circadian rhythms are endogenous cycles that recur approximately every 24 h, and manifest in virtually every physiological and behavioral process among the vast majority of organisms. These rhythms, sustained by the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, allow for optimal timing of biological processes that ensure organisms’ homeostasis, and are entrained to precisely 24 h by daily exposure to light. Disruption of the molecular mechanisms that drive these rhythms have negative consequences on physiology and behavior that may impair survival. The molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects are widely studied and linked to multiple diseases and …

Metabolic Foundations Of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Growth., Kyle Fulghum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regular aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth, which is an adaptive response thought to enable the heart to meet higher physical demands. Cardiac growth involves coordination of catabolic and anabolic activities to support ATP generation, macromolecule biosynthesis, and myocyte hypertrophy. Although previous studies suggest that exercise-induced reductions in cardiac glycolysis are critical for physiological myocyte hypertrophy, it remains unclear how exercise influences the many interlinked pathways of metabolism that support adaptive remodeling of the heart. In this thesis project, we tested the general hypothesis that aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth by coordinating myocardial metabolism to promote glucose-supported anabolic pathway …

Four Weeks Of Hericium Erinaceus Supplementation Does Not Impact Markers Of Metabolic Flexibility Or Cognition, Corey Grozier, Victor Alves, Lauren Killen, Eric O'Neal, Jeffrey Simpson, Hunter Waldman

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(2): 1366-1380, 2022. Hericium erinaceus (HE), also known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, has been found to enhance cognition and metabolic flexibility in various animal models. To date however, only four studies exist in humans and none have evaluated the effects of HE on markers of metabolic flexibility or cognitive performance. A single-blind, placebo controlled, parallel-longitudinal study was used to determine the effects of HE on markers of metabolic flexibility and cognition. Twenty-four participants completed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to analyze substrate oxidation rates and markers of cardiorespiratory fitness. Additionally, two dual-task …

Physiological Responses To Speed-Matched Running On Non-Motorized Assault Airrunner Versus Traditional Treadmills In Active Females: A Pilot Study, Noelle Morrow, Kayla Mitchell, Hannah Weighart, Diana Alonzo, Stephen Ives

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 1262-1273, 2022. Treadmills are utilized as a training tool to improve aerobic fitness, but precise understanding of intensity and the corresponding physiological strain is critical for optimizing exercise prescription and associated adaptations. Running on non-motorized, curved treadmills may result in greater oxygen uptake (VO₂), increased heart rate (HR), and increased rating of perceived exertion (RPE) compared to traditional motorized treadmills. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological responses on non-motorized versus traditional motorized treadmills during speed-matched running. Participants were 4 college-aged, recreationally active females. HR, VO₂, respiratory …

Effects Of Temperature On Growth, Metabolic Rate, And Lower Dissolved Oxygen Tolerance Of Speckled Peacock Bass Cichla Temensis, Manuel E. Coffill-Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

I examined the effects of temperature (25, 30, and 35°C) on growth, standard metabolic rate (SMR), and lower dissolved oxygen tolerance (LDOT) of juvenile Speckled Peacock Bass Cichla temensis. Fish were acclimated to 150-L aquaria for 7 weeks before the growth, SMR, and LDOT experiments. The growth study lasted 58 days and fish acclimated to 25 and 30°C displayed similar growth rates, while fish acclimated to 35°C had very poor growth rates. The SMR and LDOT experiments were performed using intermittent respirometers. Fish acclimated to 25°C had the lowest SMR, followed by 30°C, and finally 35°C. The highest LDOT …

Role Of Fasting In Caloric Restriction Improved Glucose Tolerance, Makayla M. Dillon

ETD Archive

The Caloric Restriction (CR) diet in mammals has been shown to increase longevity and prevent metabolic disorders. Some of the benefits of CR include improved glucose homeostasis, namely improvements in glucose tolerance. Mice on the CR diet have a 30% reduction in food provided, as well as a fasting period between meals as they are only fed once a day. Hence the benefits of CR stem from both fasting and reduced calorie intake. In this study, we investigated if the fasting component of CR is responsible for the benefits of this diet in improving glucose homeostasis. In particular, we used …

Keeping Your Cool: Thermoregulatory Performance And Plasticity In Desert Cricetid Rodents, Richard W. Ramirez, Eric A. Riddell, Steven R. Beissinger, Blair O. Wolf

Biology ETDs

Small mammals in hot deserts often avoid heat via nocturnality and fossoriality and are thought to have a limited capacity to dissipate heat using evaporative cooling. Research to date has focused on thermoregulatory responses to air temperatures (T_a) below body temperature (T_b). Consequently, the thermoregulatory performance of small mammals exposed to high air temperatures is poorly understood, particularly responses across geographic and seasonal scales. We quantified the seasonal thermoregulatory performance of four cricetid rodents (Neotoma albigula, N. lepida, Peromyscus eremicus, P. crinitus) exposed to high T_a, at four sites …

Relating Metabolic Phenotypes To Movement Behavior In Brook Trout, Jacob E. Bowman

All NMU Master's Theses

Brook trout movement-related life history strategies vary considerably and range from individuals that stay within the same 100 meters their entire life to individuals that are potamodromous or anadromous. Potential drivers of movement life histories have been the subject of much research in fish, with genetic subpopulation explanations often failing to explain the phenomenon. Metabolic phenotypes have been suggested as a possible driver for expression of different movement life histories. I investigated if metabolic phenotypes are related to movement strategies within a population of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Unnamed Creek, a tributary to the Rock River, Alger …

Validation Of Prmr Equations In A Non-Caucasian Sample – Ethnicity As A Variable In Predicting Resting Metabolic Rate, Erin N. Bannister

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study intends to identify a predictive resting metabolic rate (pRMR) equation that is predictive of the measured resting metabolic rate (mRMR) in a sample that includes a group of Black Americans. The handful of commonly used pRMR equations, such as the Mifflin- St. Jeor or Harris-Benedict equations, were created without defining the demographics of their populations, while validation of these equations is typically done with almost exclusively Caucasian subjects. Black and brown Americans require the same evidence of precision in predictions of daily energy needs as Caucasian Americans. When applied to non-Caucasian samples, these equations appear in the literature …

Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Plasticity By The Gut Microbiome, Taylor R. Valentino

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome could play a role in skeletal muscle plasticity, providing novel treatments for muscle wasting diseases and/or performance enhancements. I first sought to determine if the gut microbiome is necessary for skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise. Forty-two, four-month old, female C57Bl/6J underwent nine weeks of weighted wheel running or remained in cage with a locked wheel, without or without the administration of antibiotics (treated). In response to wheel running, I found that antibiotic depletion of the microbiome led to a blunted hypertrophic response in the soleus muscle as measured by normalized muscle wet weight …

Beyond Cortisol: Indicators Of Stress And Negative Feedback In Plasma And Blubber Of Marine Mammals, Jessica Avalos

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Marine mammals play an important role in ecosystem stability. However, anthropogenic activity is compounding pressure on many already vulnerable populations. A potential consequence of anthropogenic disturbance is physiological stress, which can impact metabolism, immunity, and reproduction, especially if it occurs repeatedly. Previous studies on marine mammals have focused on acute stress, but the impacts of repeated stress are poorly understood. Due to its accessibility on land during haul-outs, the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a good system in which to study the effects of stress in marine mammals. Stress stimulates the release of glucocorticoid hormones, primarily cortisol. Elevated cortisol …

Editorial: The Metabolism Of The Neuron-Glia Unit, Yannick Poitelon, Lance A. Johnson, Marie-Ève Tremblay

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Apoε4 Lowers Energy Expenditure In Females And Impairs Glucose Oxidation By Increasing Flux Through Aerobic Glycolysis, Brandon C. Farmer, Holden C. Williams, Nicholas A. Devanney, Margaret A. Piron, Grant K. Nation, David J. Carter, Adeline E. Walsh, Rebika Khanal, Lyndsay E. A. Young, Jude C. Kluemper, Gabriela Hernandez, Elizabeth J. Allenger, Rachel Mooney, Lesley R. Golden, Cathryn T. Smith, J. Anthony Brandon, Vedant A. Gupta, Philip A. Kern, Matthew S. Gentry, Josh M. Morganti, Ramon C. Sun, Lance A. Johnson

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Cerebral glucose hypometabolism is consistently observed in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as in young cognitively normal carriers of the Ε4 allele of Apolipoprotein E (APOE), the strongest genetic predictor of late-onset AD. While this clinical feature has been described for over two decades, the mechanism underlying these changes in cerebral glucose metabolism remains a critical knowledge gap in the field.

METHODS: Here, we undertook a multi-omic approach by combining single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and stable isotope resolved metabolomics (SIRM) to define a metabolic rewiring across astrocytes, brain tissue, mice, and human subjects expressing APOE4.

RESULTS: Single-cell …

Decreased Activity Of Phosphofructokinase-1 In Flight Muscle Cells Of Hawk Moth Manduca Sexta With Age, Owen G. Alvine

Honors Thesis

The phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) enzyme is important for the catalyzation and regulation of glycolysis, especially in muscle. Investigating age-related changes in PFK-1 activity will provide insights into the metabolism shifts in muscle cells of our muscle aging model. The hawk moth, Manduca sexta, was chosen as the model organism because of its unique endothermic, synchronous flight muscles that are more analogous to vertebrates than invertebrate species. We hypothesized that PFK-1 activity will increase in muscle cells of aged moths due to dysregulation of the mitochondria. This was predicted to change the method of energy production, by hindering oxidative phosphorylation, making glycolysis …