Physiology Commons^™

Prevalence Of Hcv And Hiv Infections In 2005-Earthquake-Affected Areas Of Pakistan., Saeed Khan, Mohammad A Rai, Adnan Khan, Amber Farooqui, Shahana U Kazmi, Syed H Ali

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: On October 8, 2005, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 hit the Northern parts of Pakistan. In the post-earthquake scenario, overcrowding, improper sewage disposal, contamination of food and drinking water, hasty surgical procedures, and unscreened blood transfusions to earthquake victims most likely promotes the spread of infections already prevalent in the area. Objective: The objective of the study reported here was to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency and Hepatitis C viruses (respectively, HIV and HCV) in the earthquake-affected communities of Pakistan. The samples were analyzed 2 months and then again 11 months after the earthquake to estimate the burden …

Impact Of Seated And Standing Bicycle Riding Position On Subsequent Running Performance, Randall L. Jensen‡, Brendon J. Ewers†, Brian Cunniffe*, Brian Phelan*, Andrew J. Harrison‡, Amir Shafat‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

This study examined the effects of cycling posture on subsequent running performance similar to the transition phase of a triathlon. Experienced, non-elite triathletes completed two trials of a cycle-run transition. During the last three minutes of a 30 minute cycling bout, at power output equal to lactate threshold, subjects either remained seated (SEAT), or alternated seated and standing cycling (30 s at a time; ALT). Heart rate, RPE, minimum and maximum knee angle, stride frequency and length, and onset and duration of quadriceps and hamstrings activity were obtained at the end of a three-minute control run and at minutes 0, …

Aerobic Capacity And Postprandial Flow Mediated Dilation, Kevin D. Ballard†, James J. Miller‡, James H. Robinson†, Jennifer L. Olive‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The consumption of a high-fat meal induces transient vascular dysfunction. Aerobic exercise enhances vascular function in healthy individuals. Our purpose was to determine if different levels of aerobic capacity impact vascular function, as measured by flow mediated dilation, following a high-fat meal. Flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery was determined before, two- and four-hours postprandial a high-fat meal in young males classified as highly trained (n = 10; VO2max = 74.6 ± 5.2 ml·kg·min-1) or moderately active (n = 10; VO2max = 47.3 ± 7.1 ml·kg·min-1). Flow mediated dilation was reduced at two- (p < 0.001) and four-hours (p < 0.001) compared to baseline for both groups but was not different between groups at any time point (p = 0.108). Triglycerides and insulin increased at two- (p < 0.001) and four-hours (p < 0.05) in both groups. LDL-C was reduced at four-hours (p = 0.05) in highly trained subjects, and two- and four-hours (p ≤ 0.01) in moderately active subjects. HDL-C decreased at two- (p = 0.024) and four-hours (p = 0.014) in both groups. Glucose increased at two-hours postprandial for both groups (p = 0.003). Our results indicate that a high-fat meal results in reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in highly trained and moderately active individuals with no difference between groups. Thus, high aerobic capacity does not protect against transient reductions in vascular function after the ingestion of a single high-fat meal compared to individuals who are moderately active.

Effect Of Different Resistance Exercise Methods On Post-Exercise Blood Pressure, Daniel Rodriguez†, Marcos D. Polito‡, Reury F.P. Bacurau‡, Jonato Prestes‡, Francisco L. Pontes Jr‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the post-exercise blood pressure (BP) responses to two different methods of resistance exercise (RE, traditional multiple set and tri-set). Young adult men (n = 30, 19.6 &#; 0.7 years old; 76.0 ± 2.7 kg; 178.2 ± 6.7 cm; 90.5 ± 5.8 MBP) with six months of previous experience in RE were selected. The volunteers were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10, each group): non-exercised control group (CON); multiple set group (MS); and a tri-set group (TRI). The TRI group performed three consecutive exercises (3 sets of 10 repetitions with …

Age-Related Differences In Systolic Blood Pressure Recovery After A Maximal-Effort Exercise Test In Non-Athletic Adults, Uchechukwu Dimkpa†, Andrew C. Ugwu‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The present study investigated the rate of systolic blood pressure recovery (SBPR) amongst three male age groups. Ninety-six apparently healthy, non-athletic adult males (48 young [23.91±4.58 years], 32 middle-aged [41.78±5.98 years] and 16 elderly [62.87±2.57 years]) participated in the study. Subjects performed a maximal-effort ergometer exercise test. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured during the exercise protocol; heart rate (HR) and SBP were measured before exercise (after 10 and 15 minutes of rest), during exercise (at 2-minute intervals), and at the first minute of post-exercise recovery and subsequently at 2-minute intervals until the recovery of SBP. Results showed that third-minute …

Student Reflections On A Study Abroad Course To The 2008 Summer Olympics In Beijing, James W. Navalta, T Scott Lyons, Fred W. Gibson

International Journal of Exercise Science

The authors lead a study abroad trip to Beijing, China during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Included are reflections from the students who participated. Throughout the visit, students had the opportunity to complete learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. In addition, various challenges were faced and overcome which also constituted a learning experience and was the cause of reflection. The country of China and all of its historical landmarks had a great impression on these students, especially the day that was spent at the Great Wall. Finally, being able to be at the Olympic Games was a life-changing experience, …

Muscular Strength And Body Composition Comparison Between The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire And Police Departments, Robert W. Boyce‡, Satya Ciulla*, Glenn R. Jones‡, Edward L. Boone‡, Steven M. Elliott‡, Clarice S. Combs‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

Firefighters and police have different physical job requirements and selection processes. Firefighters have on-duty exercise time and police do not. This could affect body composition and strength. The purpose of this investigation was to compare body composition and bench press strength between firefighters and police officers in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg departments. Current 2006 fitness records were analyzed to compare firefighters and police (N = 2330). Variables included: gender, age, body mass, percent body-fat, fat mass, lean mass, bench press strength, bench press/lean mass, bench press/body mass, and percent that were obese. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found between male firefighters …

Resulting Shifts In Percentile And Standard Placements After Comparison Of The Bod Pod And Dxa, Timothy Heden†, Steven Shepard†, John Smith‡, Kay Covington‡, James Lecheminant‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the BOD POD® when compared to the DXA and if placement on a percentile chart and standard table is affected by any differences between the two measures. A total of 244 (27.7 ± 10.8 yrs, 77.3 ± 16.1 kg, 171.4 ± 10.1 cm, 26.31 ± 5.42 BMI) males and females between the ages of 18 and 52 were recruited to participate in this study. The participant’s body fat percentage (%BF) was tested in random order on the BOD POD® and DXA during a 30-minute session following manufacturer’s guidelines and …

Contributions Of Body Fat And Effort In The 5k Run: Age And Body Weight Handicap, Anne R. Crecelius, Paul M. Vanderburgh, Lloyd L. Laubach

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

The 5K handicap (5KH), designed to eliminate the body weight (BW) and age biases inherent in the 5K run time (RT), yields an adjusted RT (RTadj) that can be compared between runners of different BW and age. As hypothesized in a validation study, however, not all BW bias may be removed, because of the influences of body fatness (BF) and effort (run speed; essentially the inverse as measured by rating of perceived exertion (RPE)). This study's purpose was to determine the effects of BF and RPE on BW bias in the 5KH. For 99 male runners in a regional 5K …

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Ppar-Gamma In Surgical Brain Injury (Sbi), Amy Hyong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Brain injury can be caused by neurosurgical procedures themselves, due to direct trauma, retractor stretch, intraoperative hemorrhage and electrocautery damage. As a result of this surgical brain injury (SBI) postoperative complications such as inflammation, brain edema, and cell death can occur in the susceptible brain areas. Cerebral inflammation is a known contributor to the pathophysiology of brain injury. Following brain injury, the release of inflammatory mediators facilitates the development of BBB breakdown, cerebral edema, oxidative stress and neuronal death, resulting in further tissue damage in the brain and poor neurological outcomes. This study evaluates whether the use of a …

Maturational Changes In Myosin Light Chain Kinase Activity In Ovine Carotids, Elisha Raju Injeti

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Vascular reactivity changes dramatically during postnatal maturation due in large part to developmental changes in myofilament calcium sensitivity. Recent findings suggest that reactivity of the thick filament component of calcium sensitivity is upregulated in fetal compared to adult arteries. In light of these findings, the present study tests the hypothesis that upregulation of fetal thick filament reactivity is due to upregulation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity. To test this hypothesis, MLCK abundance and its activity is measured in intact arteries. The results indicate that MLCK abundance is 6.03 ± 0.96 fold greater in adult than in fetal arteries. …

The Leaf Ionome As A Multivariable System To Detect A Plant's Physiological Status, Ivan R. Baxter, Olga Vitek, Brett Lahner, Balasubramaniam Muthukumar, Monica Borghi, Joe Morrissey, Mary Lou Guerinot, David E. Salt

Dartmouth Scholarship

The contention that quantitative profiles of biomolecules contain information about the physiological state of the organism has motivated a variety of high-throughput molecular profiling experiments. However, unbiased discovery and validation of biomolecular signatures from these experiments remains a challenge. Here we show that the Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) leaf ionome, or elemental composition, contains such signatures, and we establish statistical models that connect these multivariable signatures to defined physiological responses, such as iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) homeostasis. Iron is essential for plant growth and development, but potentially toxic at elevated levels. Because of this, shoot Fe concentrations are …

Wnt5a Signaling Independently Of The Planar Cell Polarity Pathway Resulting In Convergent Extension And Neural Tube Closure During Vertebrate Development, Jared James Barrott

Theses and Dissertations

Vertebrate development is regulated by cellular communication by mechanisms of cell fate and cell behavior. These crucial mechanisms are regulated by cellular signaling and in the case of cell fate, cellular signaling results in transcription of developmentally important genes. Communication between cells can also result in regulation of cell behavior by acting on cytoskeletal elements rather than nuclear factors. One of the cellular signals that regulate both cell fate and cell behavior is the family of Wnt signaling molecules. Wnt5a is one of 19 Wnt molecules and has been previously demonstrated to play critical roles in many important processes in …

Determining The Role Of Wnt5a Signaling In Embryonic Limb Outgrowth Via Clonal Analysis, Whitney Herrod Sowby

Theses and Dissertations

The exact mechanisms that regulate limb outgrowth the mouse embryo are unknown. Although there are several models, we favor a hypothesis where cells become polarized by signals secreted from the AER which orient their cell migration and/or divisions causing limb outgrowth. Clonal analysis has provided a mechanism to study cell behavior. We have generated a targeting construct containing the Fgf8 inhibitor, Sprouty2, in order to generate mutant clones for behavioral analyses in the limb. In order to more effectively study clonal behavior we report the modification of a novel clonal analysis approach, exo-utero surgery. We have modified, enhanced and proven …

Cellular And Matrix Changes In Articular Cartilage Of The Disproportionate Micromelia Mouse Model Of Osteoarthritis, Crystal Noelle Smaldone

Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects more than 60% of Americans 65 and older. Because human subjects and samples are not readily available for research, animal models are an invaluable resource for the study of OA. Disproportionate micromelia (Dmm) is one such model that develops OA early in life due to a deletion in the c-propeptide of the Col2a1 gene. Light microscope analysis of the articular cartilage in Dmm has been completed, but is insufficient to show the cellular effects of the deletion mutation in Dmm in adequate detail. The present study explores the changes that occur …

Occupational Relevance And Body Mass Bias In Military Physical Fitness Tests, Paul M. Vanderburgh

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

Recent evidence makes a compelling case that U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force health-related physical fitness tests penalize larger, not just fatter, service members. As a result, they tend to receive lower scores than their lighter counterparts, the magnitude of which can be explained by biological scaling laws. Larger personnel, on the other hand, tend to be better performers of work-related fitness tasks such as load carriage, heavy lifting and materiel handling. This has been explained by empirical evidence that lean body mass and lean body mass to dead mass ratio (dead mass = fat mass and external load to …

Bilateral Claudication Results In Alterations In The Gait Biomechanics At The Hip And Ankle Joints, Shing-Jye Chen, Iraklis Pipinos, Jason Johanning, Matija Radovic, Jessie M. Huisinga, Sara A. Myers, Nikolaos Stergiou

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Claudication is the most common symptomatic manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), producing significant ambulatory compromise. The purpose of this study was to use advanced biomechanical gait analysis to determine the gait alterations occurring in claudicating patients both before and after onset of claudication pain in their legs. Hip, knee, and ankle joint moments were measured in claudicating patients (age: 64.46±8.47 years; body mass: 80.70±12.64 kg; body height: 1.72±0.08 m) and were compared to gender–age–body mass–height-matched healthy controls (age 66.27±9.22 years; body mass: 77.89±10.65 kg; body height: 1.74±0.08 m). The claudicating patients were evaluated both before (pain-free (PF) condition) and …

Test-Retest Reliability Of The Digijump Machine, J Cody Sivley†, James W. Navalta‡, T Scott Lyons‡, Leigh K. Marable*

International Journal of Exercise Science

Repetitive jumping has been identified as a possible exercise modality able to provide sufficient stimulus to improve bone health. However, it is necessary to establish whether repetitive jumping can elicit a consistent physiological response with the ablity to monitor work rate. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the stability reliability of the Digijump device for the commonly used laboratory measures of oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). College-aged individuals (N = 17) completed two 3-min repetitive jumping bouts on the Digijump machine (120 jumps per minute, jump height = 1.27 cm) at …

Swim Positioning And Its Influence On Triathlon Outcome, Grant J. Landers†, Brian A. Blanksby‡, Timothy R. Ackland‡, Ronald Monson†

International Journal of Exercise Science

Questions have been raised regarding which of the three legs of a triathlon influences the final finishing position. Some coaches subjectively believe that the swim and run are more important than the cycle, especially since the introduction of drafting during the cycle. This study analysed race position shifts between each of the three disciplines to assess the importance of the swim finish position and final finish position during draft legal Olympic distance triathlon events. Ten male and 10 female triathlon world cup events during one season were analysed. The results suggested that the triathlon swim leg is important because the …

Undergraduate Research: Importance, Benefits, And Challenges, John K. Petrella, Alan Jung

International Journal of Exercise Science

Developing and maintaining undergraduate research programs benefits students, faculty mentors, and the university. Incorporating a research component along with a sound academic foundation enables students to develop independent critical thinking skills along with oral and written communication skills. The research process impacts valuable learning objectives that have lasting influence as undergraduates prepare for professional service. Faculty members at teaching intensive institutions can enhance learning experiences for students while benefiting from a productive research agenda. The university in turn benefits from presentations and publications that serve to increase visibility in the scientific community. Whether projects are derived through student-generated or mentor-generated …

Differential Expression And Functional Characterization Of Alpha3 Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, John Hideo Mizukawa

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in both the periperhal and central nervous systems, and are involved in pre-, post-, and non-synaptic control of neuronal activation. In the brain, these receptors play an important role in a variety of physiological processes such as cognition, development, learning, and memory formation. Malfunction of these receptors have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. To date, 17 different nAChR subunits, including α2-α7 and β2-β4, have been cloned that can form homo- and/or hetero-pentameric ionotropic receptors. The unique combinations of subunit pentamers manifest in distinct functional receptors. …

Investigating And Modeling Possible Mechanisms By Which Healthy Cell Membranes Become Resistant To Hydrolysis By Secretory Phospholipase A2, Jennifer Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) behaves differently toward the membranes of healthy cells compared to those of damaged or dying cells. The enzyme catalyzes rapid and sustained hydrolysis of compromised cells consistent with a simple catalytic mechanism. In contrast, when healthy cells are incubated with sPLA2, they become resistant to hydrolytic attack as manifest by three unusual observations: First, hydrolysis is transient and represents only a small fraction of the total membrane phospholipid content. Second, subsequent addition of sPLA2 fails to generate additional product. Third, the apparent potency of the enzyme to cause the membrane to be refractory is much greater …

A Comparative Analysis Of Hydrolysis Kinetics By Spla2 Isoforms During Apoptosis In S49 Cells, Erin Dalene Olson

Theses and Dissertations

Secretory Phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) represents a diverse class of roughly 20 enzymes, 12 of which have been identified in humans. These isoforms can be distinguished based on their tissue distribution, structure, and regulation. These differences in structure between the isoforms lead to the question does the enzyme's ability to respond to physical changes in the membrane during apoptosis governed by structure. S49 cell apoptosis was initiated by treatment with either the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (6–48 h) or with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. The rates of hydrolysis were compared with each treatment condition for various concentrations of snake venom and human groups …

The Role Of Microrna-155 And Microrna-146a As Putative Oncomirs In The Tumor Progression Of Prostate Cancer, Jennifer Hoyt

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer occurring in males. The identification of novel microRNAs (miRs) that contribute to tumor progression represents prospective treatment targets. miRs are small non-coding RNAs important in gene regulation with specific tissue expression patterns. Each miR is thought to affect the expression of hundreds of different RNA targets. Two putative oncomiRs, miR-155 and miR-146a, were shown to be differentially expressed in the human derived, prostate cell sublines M12 and F6. Quantification of endogenous miR expression showed high levels in the metastatic M12 cell line versus low in its weakly tumorigenic F6 variant. The restoration of …

Effect Of Rho Kinase Inhibition On Alpha-Actin Remodeling In The Contracting A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cell, Suzette Pike

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Suzette Pike on July 11, 2008,

Aminoacyl-Trna Synthetase Complexes: Molecular Multitasking Revealed, Corinne D. Hausmann, Michael Ibba

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The accurate synthesis of proteins, dictated by the corresponding nucleotide sequence encoded in mRNA, is essential for cell growth and survival. Central to this process are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which provide amino acid substrates for the growing polypeptide chain in the form of aminoacyl-tRNAs. The aaRSs are essential for coupling the correct amino acid and tRNA molecules, but are also known to associate in higher order complexes with proteins involved in processes beyond translation. Multiprotein complexes containing aaRSs are found in all three domains of life playing roles in splicing, apoptosis, viral assembly, and regulation of transcription and translation. …

Pge2 Receptor Subsets Mediate Hcg Regulation Of The Plasminogen Activator/Plasmin System In Primate Periovulatory Follicles, Nune Markosyan

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Elevated follicular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels are necessary for follicle rupture during ovulation. As the degradation of the follicle wall requires proteolysis, it was hypothesized that regulation of proteolysis by gonadotropins is PGE2 mediated.

There are four PGE2 receptors: EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. To determine which PGE2 receptors are present in monkey periovulatory follicles, granulosa cells and whole ovaries were collected 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after administration of an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or 36 hours after hCG from monkeys that received the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitor celecoxib. All EP receptor mRNAs were present …

The Effect Of Intensity Of Aerobic Training On Insulin Sensitivity, Carmine Richard Grieco Iii

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. It is estimated that I 0. 7% of adults over the age of 20 years and 23.1 % of adults over the age of 60 years have diabetes (NIH, 2007). Individuals with type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes and twice as likely to die of all-cause mortality (CDC, 2005). Additionally Mokdad et al. (2000) report that the prevalence of diabetes increased 33% between 1990 and 1998. Furthermore it has been estimated that nearly 26% of the …

Intravenous Administration Of Perfluorocarbon Emulsions As A Non-Recompression Therapy For Decompression Sickness, Cameron Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Decompression sickness (DCS) results from a sudden decrease in ambient pressure leading to super-saturation of tissues with inert gas and subsequent bubble formation within both tissues and blood. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are able to dissolve vast amounts of non-polar gases. The administration of intravenous (I.V.) PFC emulsions reduce both morbidity and mortality of DCS, but the mechanism of this protective effect has not yet been demonstrated. Juvenile Dorper cross sheep between 16 and 24 kg (n=31) were anaesthetized and instrumented for physiological monitoring, the administration of I.V. fluids and sampling of arterial and mixed venous blood. Animals were placed in a …

Membrane-Permeable Peptide Capable Of Calpain Inhibition, Rodney Guttmann

Physiology Faculty Patents

5-mer peptides that can inhibit calpain I and calpain II are disclosed. The peptide sequence is as follows: Leu or Ala)-(Xaa)-(Asp or Glu)-(Xaa)-(Leu or Met), where Xaa can be any amino acid.