Physiology Commons^™

Odor, Not Performance, Dictates Bemisia Tabaci'S Selection Between Healthy And Virus Infected Plants, Gong Chen, Qi Su, Xiaobin Shi, Xin Liu, Zhengke Peng, Huixin Zheng, Wen Xie, Baoyun Xu, Shaoli Wang, Qingjun Wu, Xuguo Zhou, Youjun Zhang

Entomology Faculty Publications

Although, insect herbivores are generally thought to select hosts that favor the fitness of their progeny, this “mother-knows-best” hypothesis may be challenged by the presence of a plant virus. Our previous study showed that the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, the obligate vector for transmitting Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), preferred to settle and oviposit on TYLCV-infected rather than healthy host plant, Datura stramonium. The performances of B. tabaci larvae and adults were indeed improved on virus-infected D. stramonium, which is consistent with “mother-knows-best” hypothesis. In this study, B. tabaci Q displayed the same preference to settle and …

A Role Of Central Nell2 In The Regulation Of Feeding Behavior In Rats., Jin Kwon Jeong, Jae Geun Kim, Han Rae Kim, Tae Hwan Lee, Jeong Woo Park, Byung Ju Lee

Pharmacology and Physiology Faculty Publications

A brain-enriched secreting signal peptide, NELL2, has been suggested to play multiple roles in the development, survival, and activity of neurons in mammal. We investigated here a possible involvement of central NELL2 in regulating feeding behavior and metabolism. In situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical approach were used to determine expression of NELL2 as well as its colocalization with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat hypothalamus. To investigate the effect of NELL2 on feeding behavior, 2 nmole of antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide was administered into the lateral ventricle of adult male rat brains for 6 consecutive days, and changes …

Vestibular Activation Habituates The Vasovagal Response In The Rat, Bernard Cohen, Giorgio P. Martinelli, Yongqing Xiang, Theodore Raphan, Sergei B. Yakushin

Publications and Research

Vasovagal syncope is a significant medical problem without effective therapy, postulated to be related to a collapse of baroreflex function. While some studies have shown that repeated static tilts can block vasovagal syncope, this was not found in other studies. Using anesthetized, male Long–Evans rats that were highly susceptible to generation of vasovagal responses, we found that repeated activation of the vestibulosympathetic reflex (VSR) with ±2 and ±3 mA, 0.025 Hz sinusoidal galvanic vestibular stimulation (sGVS) caused incremental changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) that blocked further generation of vasovagal responses. Initially, BP and HR fell ≈20–50 …

High-Fat Feeding Does Not Disrupt Daily Rhythms In Female Mice Because Of Protection By Ovarian Hormones, Brian T. Palmisano, John M. Stafford, Julie S. Pendergast

Biology Faculty Publications

Obesity in women is increased by the loss of circulating estrogen after menopause. Shift work, which disrupts circadian rhythms, also increases the risk for obesity. It is not known whether ovarian hormones interact with the circadian system to protect females from obesity. During high-fat feeding, male C57BL/6J mice develop profound obesity and disruption of daily rhythms. Since C57BL/6J female mice did not develop diet-induced obesity (during 8 weeks of high-fat feeding), we first determined if daily rhythms in female mice were resistant to disruption from high-fat diet. We fed female PERIOD2:LUCIFERASE mice 45% high-fat diet for 1 week and measured …

Development Of Near-Isogenic Lines In A Parthenogenetically Reproduced Thrips Species, Frankliniella Occidentalis, Guangdi Yuan, Yanran Wan, Xiaoyu Li, Bingqing He, Youjun Zhang, Baoyun Xu, Shaoli Wang, Wen Xie, Xuguo Zhou, Qingjun Wu

Entomology Faculty Publications

Although near-isogenic lines (NILs) can standardize genetic backgrounds among individuals, it has never been applied in parthenogenetically reproduced animals. Here, through multiple rounds of backcrossing and spinosad screening, we generated spinosad resistant NILs in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with a haplo-diploid reproduction system. The resultant F. occidentalis NIL-R strain maintained a resistance ratio over 30,000-fold, which was comparable to its parental resistant strain, Spin-R. More importantly, F. occidentalis NIL-R shared 98.90% genetic similarity with its susceptible parental strain Ivf03. By developing this toolset, we are able to segregate individual resistance and facilitate the mechanistic study …

The Impact Of Various Predator Perceptions On Stress Response And Spatial Memory In Birds, Chlöe S. N. Carter

Western Research Forum

The Impact of Various Predator Perceptions on Stress Response and Spatial Memory in Birds

Background

This project will explore the impact of environmental stressors on the cognitive abilities of birds. Predator perception has been demonstrated to elicit a stress response by elevating stress hormones which can alter the behaviour of birds. The aim of this study is to observe if chronic stress from differently perceived threats of predation in an individual’s environment will lead to differences in the spatial memory abilities in two species of birds. I predict that chronic stress resulting from predator stimuli will impair the bird’s performance …

Pulmonary Surfactant Fortified With Cath-2 As A Novel Therapy For Bacterial Pneumonia, Brandon J. Baer

Western Research Forum

Background: Bacterial pneumonia is a leading cause of death worldwide, with high mortality rates persisting even after antibiotic treatment. Current treatments for pneumonia involve administration of antibiotics, however after the bacteria are killed they release toxic substances that induce inflammation and lung dysfunction. Host defense peptides represent a potential solution to this problem through their ability to down regulate inflammation. However, effective delivery to the lung is difficult because of the complex branching structure of the airways. My study addresses this delivery problem by using exogenous surfactant, a pulmonary delivery vehicle capable of improving spreading of these peptides throughout the …

Computational Predictions Of Β-Hairpins Containing Bulky Dehydroamino Acids, David W. Kastner, Ankur Jalan, Steven L. Castle

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2017

Bulky α,β-dehydroamino acids (ΔAAs) can improve the proteolytic stability of peptides that contain them, presumably by altering the shape of the backbone of the peptide and by stabilizing folded states through their rigidifying effect. The stabilizing effects of ΔAAs that contain at least one hydrogen atom at the β-carbon are well-known, but the role of bulky ΔAAs that contain fully substituted β-carbons in the stability of larger peptides is less explored. To better explore the conformational contribution of α,β-dehydroamino acids in β-hairpins we performed NMR-based structural calculations to confirm our experimental observations. We used the simulated annealing program CYANA to …

Apolipoprotein E4 And Insulin Resistance Interact To Impair Cognition And Alter The Epigenome And Metabolome, Lance A. Johnson, Eileen Ruth S. Torres, Soren Impey, Jan F. Stevens, Jacob Raber

Physiology Faculty Publications

Apolipoprotein E4 (E4) and type 2 diabetes are major risk factors for cognitive decline and late onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). E4-associated phenotypes and insulin resistance (IR) share several features and appear to interact in driving cognitive dysfunction. However, shared mechanisms that could explain their overlapping pathophysiology have yet to be found. We hypothesized that, compared to E3 mice, E4 mice would be more susceptible to the harmful cognitive effects of high fat diet (HFD)-induced IR due to apoE isoform-specific differences in brain metabolism. While both E3 and E4 mice fed HFD displayed impairments in peripheral metabolism and cognition, deficits in …

Molecular Regulation Of Stem Cell Behavior During Tissue Repair And Cancer Formation, Nestor J. Oviedo

Science Seminar Series

Oviedo will be presenting his work on identifying the mechanisms of adult stem cell fate determination based on their topographical location in the adult body. Understanding stem cell fate determination is crucial because tissue repair and neoplastic growth are greater in anterior than in posterior regions of adult animals. Despite its critical implications for stem cell biology, carcinogenesis and regenerative medicine, this physiological phenomenon has remained overlooked. Recent findings from his group provide intriguing evidence implying DNA repair mechanisms and cellular signaling through post-translational modifications regulate stem cell fate decision depending on their topographical location in the adult body. We …

Patterns Of Morphological And Molecular Evolution In The Antillean Tree Bat, Ardops Nichollsi (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), Roxanne J. Larsen, Peter A. Larsen, Caleb D. Phillips, Hugh H. Genoways, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Scott C. Pedersen, Carleton J. Phillips, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Species endemic to oceanic islands offer unique insights into the mechanisms underlying evolution and have served as model systems for decades. Often these species show phenotypic variation that is correlated with the ecosystems in which they occur and such correlations may be a product of genetic drift, natural selection, and/or environmental factors. We explore the morphologic and genetic variation within Ardops nichollsi, a species of phyllostomid bat endemic to the Lesser Antillean islands. Ardops nichollsi is an ideal taxon to investigate the tempo of evolution in Chiroptera, as it: is a recently derived genus in the family Phyllostomidae; contains …

Psychophysiological Tracking Of A Female Physique Competitor Through Competition Preparation, Brandon Jay Rohrig, Robert W. Pettitt, Cherie Pettitt, Todd Kanzenbach

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 301-311, 2017. Natural physique competitions are based on subjective judgments of how a competitor appears on show day. Prior to competition, there is a prolonged dieting phase referred to as contest preparation. The primary goal is to reduce body fat levels while maintaining skeletal muscle mass. The study tracked the physiological and psychological changes for a 24 year old female preparing for a physique competition. Purpose: The study was conducted to describe the physiological and psychological changes of a female physique competitor who engages in long-term contest preparation. Methods: Diet, body composition, blood work, …

Effects Of Hypobaric And Normobaric Hypoxia On Heart Rate And Blood Oxygen Saturation, Madison Brooks Coleman

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

There has been recent debate on the difference in physiological response between exposure to normobaric hypoxia (oxygen fraction altered) and hypobaric hypoxia (barometric pressure altered). Purpose: To determine the effects of normobaric normoxia (NN), hypobaric hypoxia (HH), and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) after exercise. Methods: Fifteen recreationally active participants (eight males and seven females) completed three separate 1 h cycling bouts at 70% of their peak aerobic capacity. Following each trial, participants recovered in the supine position for 4 h in NN (975 m), HH (4420 m), or NH (4420 m). …

Human Stress Protein Response To Exercise And The Environment, Rebecca Cuthbert

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Stress proteins are molecular chaperones that protect cells from the damaging effects that can be caused by exercise and environmental changes. Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) and RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) protect cells from mild hypothermia and hypoxia. They allow cells to rapidly respond to environmental stresses by regulating gene expression. Heat shock proteins 27, 70, and 90 protect skeletal tissue from exercise and heat stress. They accelerate cellular repair and prevent misfolding of proteins. These proteins, especially CIRP and RBM3, have been studied in cell cultures and animal models, but limited data exist in humans. Purpose: To …

Oxygen Transport In Normobaric Versus Hypobaric Hypoxia, Christina N. Angeli

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Various physiological changes occur in the human body when ascending to altitude. Exposure to hypoxia increases heart rate and decreases arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂), with both changes being expedited during exercise. Incremental exercise in ambient conditions decreases muscle oxygenation, specifically with increasing intensity. Previous research has examined heart rate and SaO₂ in response to normobaric versus hypobaric hypoxia. However, there is lack of research examining muscle oxygenation in response to these conditions. Therefore, additional research investigating acute responses to normobaric and hypobaric hypoxia during exercise is warranted. PURPOSE: To examine acute responses in arterial and muscle …

Responses Of Appetite And Appetite Regulating Hormones To Acute Altitude Exposure, Morgan Busboom

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

PURPOSE: To determine the acute response of appetite and appetite regulating hormones after exposure to simulated altitude in resting conditions. METHODS: Seven male and six female recreationally active subjects (height 178±8.1cm, weight: 77.3±24.8kg, body fat: 18.4±5.7%) participated in two, three-hour trials in an environmental chamber with one trial simulating 5000 m altitude (hypoxic) and the other simulating 350 m altitude (control). Blood samples from the antecubital vein were collected prior to entering the environmental chamber and immediately following the three hours of seated rest. Blood samples were analyzed for serum leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin concentrations via enzyme-linked immunosorbent …

Effects Of Normobaric And Hypobaric Hypoxia On Mitochondrial Related Gene Expression, Robert J. Shute

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Environmental stimuli such as temperature and hypoxia can influence cellular signaling in the skeletal muscle. Previously we have reported no changes in gene expression related to mitochondrial development with acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia. However, exposure to hypobaric hypoxia may elicit different physiological responses. Purpose: To determine the response of skeletal muscle mitochondrial related gene expression after 4 h of exposure to normobaric normoxia (NN), normobaric hypoxia (NH), and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) after exercise. Methods: Recreationally trained participants (8 male, 7 female) each completed three trials of 1-h cycling at 70% of W_max. Following exercise, participants sat in …

Comparison Of Whole-Body Cooling Techniques For Athletes And Military Personnel, Emma A. Nye, Lindsey E. Eberman, Kenneth E. Games, Colin Carriker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 294-300, 2017. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cooling rates of The Polar Life Pod®, a military protocol and cold water immersion. A randomized, repeated measures design was used to compare three treatment options. Participants exercised in an environmental chamber, where they followed a military march protocol on a treadmill, followed by the application of one of three treatments: Cold water immersion tub (5 – 10 °C), Polar Life Pod® (5 – 10 °C), Ice sheets at onset (5 – 10 °C). Mean cooling rate for CWI was 0.072 ºC/min, 0.046ºC/min for …

Orchard Sports Injury Classification System 10.1 Plus: An End-User Study, Ashley K. Crossway, Kenneth E. Games, Lindsey E. Eberman, Neil Fleming

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 284-293, 2017. The purpose of this study was to establish the level of ease of use and effectiveness of the Orchard Sport Injury Classification System (OSICS) 10.1 Plus for recording injuries and interventions. Three hundred and forty-two (males=148, females=192, no response=2; age=30.9±9.5y; experience=9.1±10.5y) athletic trainers (ATs) in the United States completed the survey. Participants were primarily employed in the secondary school (n=135) or collegiate setting (n=171). Participants entered system includes the OSICS 10.1 to catalog injuries and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to document interventions. Participants completed an 18-item end-user evaluation to assess the …

A 15-Week Vitamin D Supplementation And Indoor Cycling Intervention Reduces Exercising Heart Rate, With No Effect On Glycaemic Control In Healthy Adults: A Pilot Investigation., Ffion Curtis, Rhys Thatcher, Sam Rice, Glen Davison

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 274-283, 2017 Significant positive correlations are often observed between vitamin D concentrations and physical activity levels. Whilst this may be due to individuals who are physically active spending time outdoors (i.e. increased opportunity for vitamin D synthesis), there is growing evidence to suggest a more complex relationship between vitamin D status, physical fitness and health outcomes. To explore this further thirty-nine healthy adults were randomly allocated to 15 weeks of exercise training (Ex), no training (NoEx), 2000 IU/day vitamin D (VitD) and/or placebo (Pla) supplementation (giving four possible allocations: NoEx+VitD; NoEx+Pla; Ex+VitD; Ex+Pla). Vitamin …

Effect Of Caffeine On Near Maximal Blood Pressure And Blood Pressure Recovery In Physically-Active, College-Aged Females, Laura E. Connahan, Christopher A. Ott, Vaughn W. Barry

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 266-273, 2017 The purpose of this study is to determine how caffeine affects exercise blood pressure (BP) and active and passive recovery BP after vigorous intensity exercise in physically active college-aged females. Fifteen physically active, ACSM stratified low-risk females (age (y): 23.53 ± 4.07, weight (kg): 60.34 ± 3.67, height (cm): 165.14 ± 7.20, BMI (kg/m²): 22.18 ± 1.55) participated in two Bruce protocol exercise tests. Before each test participants consumed 1) a placebo or 2) 3.3 mg·kg^-1 of caffeine at least one hour before exercise in a counterbalanced double-blinded fashion. …

Effect Of Swedish Massage On Doms After Strenuous Exercise, Cathleen Holub, John D. Smith

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 258-265, 2017. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur after intense exercise and remain for several days. Massage is one means by which DOMS can be reduced; however, the timing of exercise, techniques applied, and timing of application produces differing outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a 20-minute Swedish massage immediately after strenuous exercise on DOMS. Procedures: Twenty college students engaged in two sets of a squatting exercise to fatigue and then the right or the left leg was immediately massaged. Effleurage, petrissage, friction and compression manual techniques were used for 10 minutes …

Adherence To Exercise Prescription And Improvements In The Clinical And Vascular Health Of African Americans, Dianne Babbitt

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 246-257, 2017. Improvements in indices of vascular health and endothelial function have been inversely associated with hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure), renal failure, and mortality. Aerobic exercise training (AEXT) has been positively associated with improvements in clinical health values, as well as vascular health biomarkers, and endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether measures of exercise adherence were related to clinical outcome measures and indices of vascular health subsequent to a 6-month AEXT intervention in a middle-to-older aged African American cohort. …

Motivation Of Shoulder Surgery Patients For Rehabilitation, Skyler W. Jorgensen, Matthew R. Bice, Scott Unruh, Kazuma Akehi, Heber Crockett, Joel Mcreynolds

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 234-245, 2017 Motivation can be a valuable construct during physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can be uncomfortable and painful, testing patients’ rehabilitation motivation and continued participation. Maintaining motivation throughout rehabilitation is important for patients to return to optimal joint motion and daily functioning. The purpose of this research project was to examine rehabilitation motivation after shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repairs, slap repairs, biceps tenodesis, acromioplasty, distal clavicle excision or combination). Persons who underwent shoulder surgery (December 2014 – April 2015) voluntarily participated in the study. The Self Regulation Questionnaire was used to assess patients’ self-regulation and …

Non-Invasive Measures Of Core Temperature Versus Ingestible Thermistor During Exercise In The Heat, Donovan L. Fogt, Andrea L. Henning, Adam Venable, Brian K. Mcfarlin

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 225-233, 2017 The accuracy of core temperature (T_c) thermometry from temporal, tympanic, and oral thermometry devices has been variable during exercise in a hot, humid environment. The purpose of the present study was to cross-validate temporal, two tympanic devices, and oral devices compared to an ingestible thermistor during exercise in a hot, humid environment. Fourteen young, active adults (6 women) completed a graded exercise test until voluntary exhaustion in an environmental chamber (35.5 ± 0.6 °C, 53.9 ± 5.8 % RH). There was no statistical difference in mean temperature between tympanic device …

Recovery Of Hip And Back Muscle Fatigue Following A Back Extension Endurance Test, Sharon Wang-Price, Mohammad Almadan, Carissa Stoddard, Dustin Moore

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 213-224, 2017 Literature has not shown the minimum time required to recover from muscle fatigue after a prolonged trunk isometric contraction. The purpose of this study was to determine if the lumbar multifidus (LM) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles would recover from fatigue after three different rest periods following performance of a back extension endurance test. Endurance time and electromyographic (EMG) activity of bilateral LM and GM muscles were collected from 12 healthy adults during a modified Biering-Sørensen test. On three separate visits, each participant performed two modified Biering-Sørensen tests, one before and one …

Parental Influences And The Relationship To Their Children’S Physical Activity Levels, Nathan Chiarlitti, Angela Kolen

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 205-212, 2017 Engaging in a physically active lifestyle relates positively to current health and reduces chances of chronic diseases in the future. Given escalating health care costs, it is paramount to reduce illnesses associated with a lack of physical activity and thus critical to identify factors that influence physical activity - especially in children, with the opportunity for a lifetime impact. One of these influencing factors may be parents/guardians. The intent of this study was to examine the relationship between children’s physical activity levels and parental factors including parental physical activity, support/encouragement, restrictiveness, and …

Aerobic Capacity Is Related To Repeated Sprint Ability With Sprint Distances Less Than 40 Meters., Gabriel J. Sanders, Zachary Turner, Brian Boos, Corey Peacock, Willard Peveler, Alar Lipping

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 197-204, 2017 Research is inconclusive regarding the association between aerobic fitness (objectively measured VO_2max) and repeated sprint performance when the sprints are less than 40 meters. Soccer athletes must be able to repeat sprints without significant decreases in speed and strength and conditioning coaches need to better understand if aerobic fitness is related to repeated sprint ability (RSA). Twenty (10 male, 10 female) Division I soccer athletes first completed a graded maximal treadmill test to measure VO_2max. Then on a separate day, athletes completed the RSA test. The RSA test …

An Acute Bout Of A Controlled Breathing Frequency Lowers Sympathetic Neural Outflow But Not Blood Pressure In Healthy Normotensive Subjects, Shannon Mcclain, Alexa Brooks, Sara Jarvis

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 188-196, 2017 Controlled or paced breathing is often used as a stress reduction technique but the impact on blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic outflow have not been consistently reported. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a controlled breathing (12 breaths/min, CB) rate would be similar to an individual’s spontaneous breathing (SB) rate. Secondly, would a CB rate of 12 breaths/min alter heart rate (HR), BP, and indices of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Twenty-one subjects (10 women, 11 men) performed two trials: SB, where the subject chose a comfortable breathing rate; …

Autonomic Modulation In Older Women: Using Resistance Exercise As A Countermeasure, Hayden Gerhart, Yu Lun Tai, Curtis Fennell, Xián Mayo, J. Derek Kingsley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(2): 178-187, 2017 It is unclear if resistance training (RT) can be used to alter declines in autonomic modulation associated with aging. Young women (YW; range 18-25 yrs) and older women (OW; range 50-72 yrs) were compared at baseline. Only OW underwent supervised RT 2 days a week for 12-weeks. Baseline and post-training measurements included heart rate variability (HRV) and complexity (Sample Entropy) to assess autonomic modulation. The 12-weeks of RT consisted of 9 exercises performing 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. At baseline, group differences in maximal strength, and autonomic modulation were evaluated with a …