Physiology Commons^™

The Role Of Liver-Specific Transcription Factor Hnf4 In Reprogramming Of Fibroblasts, Mary Odubote

Masters Theses

The mammalian liver, a vital organ with complex functions, relies on a network of transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Fusion of hepatoma cells with fibroblasts often leads to gene extinction, silencing approximately 400 liver-enriched genes, including critical transcription factors such as HNF4. Previous studies revealed that ectopic expression of HNF4 in fibroblasts failed to prevent the extinction of SERPINA1, a liver-specific gene, upon subsequent fusion with hepatoma cells. Here, we sought to investigate the extent to which ectopic expression of HNF4 can reprogram fibroblast cells and prevent gene extinction in hybrid cells.

Using whole-genome expression analysis, we compared RAT1 …

Sphingosine Kinase 2 Depletion Dysregulates Hepatic Redox Metabolism And Enhances Inflammation In Early Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (Mash), Kaitlyn Georgene Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently affects one in three people worldwide; its prevalence is growing alongside other cardiometabolic disorders. Aberrations to redox and sphingolipid metabolism contribute to MASLD pathologic progression. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is an active lipid, meaning that S1P participates in biochemical processes within the cell. S1P is generated by two distinct isoenzymes, sphingosine kinase (SphK)1 and SphK2. The localization of the SphK enzyme dictates S1P function. While cytosolic SphK1-generated S1P is well-characterized, nuclear and mitochondrial SphK2-generated S1P is less known. Moreover, SphK2 depletion effects on cellular redox processes and inflammation are not well-defined.

This study defines the …

An Updated Outline For Clearing And Staining Of Preserved Specimens, Sadie E. Smith

Honors Theses and Capstones

This protocol outlines a enhanced clearing and staining procedure for persevered specimens, focusing on the visualization of cartilage and bone in small taxa. With origins from O. Shultze's diaphonization methodology in 1897, the process of clearing and staining improves the clarity and contrast of intricate tissues. It is essential for studies in developmental biology, histology and anatomy. This protocol covers the key steps of the process while detailing the materials, solutions and estimated timeline for each step pertaining to specific taxa. The aim of the protocol is to standardize and provide guidance for procedures in the Biological Sciences department at …

Swimming: A Great Decision And An Even Better Journey, Eva M. Hunnius

Emerging Writers

Swimming is loved, feared, and cherished by so many around the world. People love it because it gives them a sense of freedom and peace, while also receiving a great workout. Some may fear it because they do not know how to swim, or they feel like there are many dangers and risks to swimming. Others cherish it because it is the only sport they have ever known. In my case, swimming is one of the only things that has been with me since I was a little kid. This remains true for many athletes. In this discussion, I hope …

Akt Targeting Of Resveratrol Derivatives In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Bhurichaya Innets

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the survival and proliferation of cancer cells and has emerged as an attractive target for anticancer drug development. This study aimed to modify and enhance the efficacy of resveratrol in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Five resveratrol derivatives (RD) were evaluated for their anticancer activity and their ability to target the Akt/mTOR pathway in NSCLC cell lines, specifically A549 and H23. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that two derivatives, RD2 and RD3, had very similar chemical structures but exhibited different levels of cytotoxicity. RD2 demonstrated significant anti-proliferative effects and induced apoptosis …

Implementation Of Prognosticator Algorithm For Initiation Of Serious Illness Discussions And Improving The Rate Of Palliative And Hospice Referrals, Joy Isebor

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Context: Early serious illness conversations related to end-of-life and goals of care with seriously ill patients have been associated with improving patients' outcomes and quality of care (Bernacki et al., 2015). However, initiating these serious illness discussions has been challenging in the home-based primary care setting.

Objectives: To train and support home-based primary care clinicians in integrating best practices in serious illness discussions and decision-making engagement among patients sixty-five and older with serious illnesses, optimize the alignment between patient goals and the medical care they receive, improving their quality of life and the rate of palliative care and hospice referrals. …

Influence Of Deception Of Task Duration On The Sex-Specific Physiological, Neuromuscular, And Affective Responses To Rpe-Clamp Cycle Ergometry, Pasquale Succi

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Several theories exist to explain the interaction of sensory afferent feedback and efferent feedforward signals on the generation of a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) which influence endurance exercise pacing and performance. Within these theories, exists the premise that the expected duration of exercise plays a role within the generation of an individual’s RPE and their endurance performance. Previous work has demonstrated equivocal findings of this influence, while other research has suggested potential differences between males and females. However, an RPE-clamp model, where the external workload is modulated to maintain a constant perceptual intensity, has not previously been used to …

Estrogen Signaling Regulates The Sex Difference In Resynchronization To Abrupt Shifts Of The Light-Dark Cycle In A Mouse Model Of Jet Lag, Maria Venegas

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The circadian system coordinates 24-hour cycles of internal biological processes with the environmental light-dark cycle. Abrupt shifts in the timing of the light-dark cycle misalign internal circadian clocks with the environment and cause jet lag until resynchronization occurs. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying sex differences in jet lag in mice. Female mice resynchronized faster than male mice to 6-hour advances and delays of the light-dark cycle, which mimicked eastward and westward travel, respectively. Circulating estradiol was necessary for rapid resynchronization in female mice since ovariectomized females resynchronized slower than mice treated with estradiol. We …

Genetic And Metabolic Factors Shaping Functional And Systemic Recovery Post-Spinal Cord Injury: A Focus On Apoe, Chase Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

There are currently approximately 300,000 individuals living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States with an additional 17,000 injuries occurring each year. Perhaps of equal importance the median age at which an SCI occurs within the population has steadily increased since the 1970s to the 2010s from 29 years to 43 years and is still on the rise. Women, historically underrepresented in biomedical research, have also seen a slight increase in SCI incidence. This increase in age of injury onset means that more people with an SCI will be impacted by genetic factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease …

The Delineation Of Platelet Pathology In Cardiometabolic Disease, Chi Peng

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Obesity is a multifactorial disease with many comorbidities leading to multiorgan dysfunction. Current studies point towards dysregulation of platelet signaling as a driver for increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The exact mechanisms remain elusive due to the complex interplay of factors involved, warranting the need to further understand how platelets are affected. Our preliminary data evaluating changes in platelet and coagulation parameters from bariatric patients showed that obesity did not affect platelet count or clotting time as demonstrated in INR values. However, female patients had increased bleeding events before surgery that were decreased after surgery. Due to limitations …

Impact Of Short-Distance Road Transportation On Horse Health, Erica Jacquay

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Horses are regularly transported across the United States; however, the reasons for travel, trip lengths, and management practices are not well characterized. While long distance transportation has been associated with increased incidences of health-related problems, the impact of short distance transportation on horse health is less understood. Notably, aged horses ( > 15 years) have an altered immune response following short-distance transportation, but this has yet to be compared to young horses. It is also unknown whether transportation stress would alter endocrine responses of horses with metabolic disorders, such as insulin dysregulation (ID) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).

The objectives …

Digital Health Care: Time For A New Standard?, Z K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The rapid influx of digitalization in healthcare has presented opportunities for innovative engagement, delivery, and outcomes for patient care. However, it also presents with several barriers and challenges that require teaching and learning opportunities to prepare future athletic trainers for these tasks. Currently, the CAATE curricular content standards integrate digital health care through Standard 64 on health informatics and Standard 87 on biometrics. However, the art and science of digital healthcare are expansive, including various skills such as digital literacy, computer skills, online communication, and privacy and security standards. Methods: The presentation will provide an overview of current digital …

Burnout In Athletic Training: Measured By Survey In Most Common Settings For Athletic Trainers, R Johnson Krug, N Sand, S Brooks, T Smith

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Burnout is a common problem in athletic training, affecting both athletic trainers (ATs) and the athletes they serve. Athletic trainers are responsible for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries. Long work hours, often including evenings and weekends, as well as frequently under pressure to meet the demands of athletes, coaches, and parents. Athletic trainers face numerous stressors that contribute to burnout. These stressors may include heavy workloads, lack of control over their schedules, time pressures, and pressure to produce positive outcomes. Athletic trainers may also experience emotional and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal …

Educational Outcomes Of The Dat: A Document Review And Thematic Analysis, S H. Orr, L E. Eberman, M J. Rivera

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: The transition in athletic training education allows for unique and new opportunities in postprofessional education. The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree is one of the postprofessional education pathways that could provide athletic trainers advancement in clinical practice, practice leadership, and scholarship. However, there is no data on the educational outcomes of DAT programs and what graduates should expect from their experiences. The aim of this study was to explore whether DAT programs are delivering curricula consistent with the development of clinical scholars with advanced knowledge and skills that are needed for high-level patient care and literature relative to …

Athletic Trainers’ Familiarity With Potential Concussion Biomarkers: A Descriptive Study, T R. Campbell, B J. Davis, J C. Martinez, J M. Cavallario

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: An estimated 3.8 million individuals sustain a concussion annually in the United States. Despite the high number of cases, this number may not accurately depict the true incidence rate due to underreporting of symptoms by patients. With current concussion tools relying heavily on subjective input from patients, it is imperative that a valid and reliable objective tool, such as a clinical biomarker, is identified to improve concussion diagnosis and management. If such a biomarker is identified, it will be essential that athletic trainers (ATs) be familiar with how biomarkers could be used. The purpose of this study was to …

Athletic Training Preceptors’ Experience With Interprofessional Education And Collaborative Practice In The Clinical Learning Environment, A Bender

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Professional athletic training (AT) programs are now required to align their educational curricula with the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) core competencies, preparing students to work in dynamic, interprofessional healthcare teams to strategically address patient outcomes. Although interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) is commonly implemented in didactic settings, our understanding of how IPECP is implemented by AT preceptors in various clinical settings is limited. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of AT preceptors’ experience with IPECP and how they implement this with students in their clinical settings. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used …

Using Alums Involvement To Increase Student Investment In An Athletic Training Program, C J. Heffner, A L. Green

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Student investment and retention are not new concerns among athletic training program directors. Graduate programs are expected to meet minimum enrollment standards to demonstrate the need for the program. Programs that are unable to maintain student enrollment will be eliminated by institutions experiencing financial stress. Retention strategies and benefits have previously been investigated among undergraduate students and across disciplines. One common theme in the research is that student retention increases when students feel a sense of belonging from the faculty, staff, and peers in their program. There is less research on the retention of graduate students, but the themes …

Using Data In The Classroom To Drive Instructional Design And Delivery, L E. Eberman, J P. Young

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Roughly half of ATP program directors include education on transgender health care in their programs, and even fewer report having the competence to do so. However, professional-level accreditation standards (56, 57, and DEI 2) require that programs have faculty with contemporary expertise to educate students on these outcomes. Current research suggests a comprehensive transgender and sexual health curriculum, including safe-zone training, traditional lecture, lab, and project-based instruction, was partially effective at changing students’ attitudes toward transgender patients but did not improve sexual health care delivery during a standardized patient encounter. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the …

Traveling The Pathway To A Culturally Competent Health Care Provider: Incorporating Study Abroad Into Your Curriculum, A L. Johnston Green, C J. Heffner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: As athletic training employment settings expand and diversify, so does the patient population with whom these healthcare providers interact. This growth furthers the need to ensure that students enrolled in an athletic training program (ATP) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are educated to provide culturally competent care. Culturally competent care is provided when decisions made diminish the inequalities that may be present in a system based upon a patient’s individual circumstances. Implementing cultural competency education may be integrated into athletic training education in various manners as necessitated by each institution’s unique circumstances. Programs …

Exploring The Work-Related Quality Of Life Of Athletic Trainers In Physician Practice, N T. Anderson, K E. Games, J P. Young, M J. Rivera, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction/Context: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) identified the vitality of the athletic training profession as a research priority, which includes exploring solutions to improve work-life balance. There is a common perception that athletic trainers (AT) working in the physician practice setting have lower work-life conflict and increased job satisfaction, but no data to support this belief. Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) has been studied in some healthcare settings but has not been studied in any athletic training clinical practice setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the WRQoL of athletic trainers in physician practice. Methods: A …

How Do Athletic Trainers Impact Patient Health Literacy?: A Critically Appraised Topic, T Bouchard

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction/Context: Health Literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” An estimated 80 million Americans are estimated to have low levels of health literacy. Low health literacy has been linked to poor patient outcomes and decreased usage of health services. Athletic trainers are multiskilled medical professionals recognized by the American Medical Association, trained in, among other things, wellness promotion and education, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and primary care. Although athletic trainers have traditionally been employed in collegiate/elite sports, many are …

Disorganization Of Actin Within The Shafts Of Stereocilia Is A Key Difference Between Temporary And Permanent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (Nihl), Shadan Hadi

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

During sound stimulation, mechanosensory stereocilia of the auditory hair cell pivot around their bases, where their actin cores become denser and form rootlets protruding into the cuticular plate. It is believed that actin-based cuticular plate provides a stable mechanical support for stereocilia, while rootles are responsible for their pivotal flexibility and life-long resilience to mechanical stimuli. Not surprisingly, damage to the stereocilia bundles is known as a hallmark of permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Yet, despite decades of NIHL studies, it is still unknown which ultrastructural changes in the stereocilia bundles are evoked directly by mechanical overstimulation.

Here, we explored …

Cyp6g2 Is The Major P450 Epoxidase Responsible For Juvenile Hormone Biosynthesis In Drosophila Melanogaster, Qiangqiang Jia, Liu Yang, Jiamin Wen, Suning Liu, Di Wen, Wei Luo, Weihua Wang, Subba R. Palli, Li Sheng

Entomology Faculty Publications

Background Juvenile hormones (JH) play crucial role in regulating development and reproduction in insects. The most common form of JH is JH III, derived from MF through epoxidation by CYP15 enzymes. However, in the higher dipterans, such as the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, a bis-epoxide form of JHB3, accounted most of the JH detected. Moreover, these higher dipterans have lost the CYP15 gene from their genomes. As a result, the identity of the P450 epoxidase in the JH biosynthesis pathway in higher dipterans remains unknown.

Results In this study, we show that Cyp6g2 serves as the major JH epoxidase responsible for …

The Mechanoreceptor Piezo Is Required For Spermatogenesis In Bombyx Mori, Zhongjie Zhang, Xiaojing Liu, Bo Hu, Kai Chen, Ye Yu, Chenxin Sun, Dalin Zhu, Hua Bai, Subba Reddy Palli, Anjiang Tan

Entomology Faculty Publications

Background The animal sperm shows high diversity in morphology, components, and motility. In the lepidopteran model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori, two types of sperm, including nucleate fertile eupyrene sperm and anucleate unfertile apyrene sperm, are generated. Apyrene sperm assists fertilization by facilitating the migration of eupyrene spermatozoa from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca. During spermatogenesis, eupyrene sperm bundles extrude the cytoplasm by peristaltic squeezing, while the nuclei of the apyrene sperm bundles are discarded with the same process, forming matured sperm.

Results In this study, we describe that a mechanoreceptor BmPiezo, the sole Piezo ortholog in B. mori, …

Acute Gastrointestinal Permeability After Traumatic Brain Injury In Mice Precedes A Bloom In Akkermansia Muciniphila Supported By Intestinal Hypoxia, Anthony J. Desana, Steven Estus, Terrence A. Barrett, Kathryn E. Saatman

Physiology Faculty Publications

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases gastrointestinal morbidity and associated mortality. Clinical and preclinical studies implicate gut dysbiosis as a consequence of TBI and an amplifier of brain damage. However, little is known about the association of gut dysbiosis with structural and functional changes of the gastrointestinal tract after an isolated TBI. To assess gastrointestinal dysfunction, mice received a controlled cortical impact or sham brain injury and intestinal permeability was assessed at 4 h, 8 h, 1 d, and 3 d after injury by oral administration of 4 kDa FITC Dextran prior to euthanasia. Quantification of serum fluorescence revealed an acute, …

Changes In Flanker Task Performance Following High-Intensity Exercise In Endurance Athletes, Felix E. Cottet-Puinel

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Executive function performance following acute aerobic exercise can be influenced by multiple variables. However, little is known about the lasting effects of these exercise-induced changes. This study aimed to determine the extent to which exercise intensity impacts executive function. 14 young endurance-trained adults (5 female, 9 male) performed an Eriksen flanker task before and immediately after running high-intensity until failure and isochronal moderate-intensity (~12 min). Pre- to post-exercise-induced changes in reaction time (ms), accuracy (%), and self-reported mental effort (1-9 rating) were analyzed by overall tasks and through tasks subsections. Results showed improvement in reaction time following high- and moderate-intensity …

The Physiological And Behavioral Effects Of A Centrally Administered Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist On Maternal Buffering In Infant Guinea Pigs, Kendra A. Carter

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the role of endogenous oxytocin (OT) in maternal buffering of infant stress responses in guinea pigs. Infants received intracerebroventricular infusion of an oxytocin receptor antagonist (OTA) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) immediately before being placed with the mother in a novel environment for 60 minutes. Blood cortisol levels and behavioral responses, including vocalizations and crouching, were measured throughout the testing period. Results indicate only a significant effect of time, with cortisol levels increasing with time spent in the novel environment. Otherwise, no significant differences were observed either physiologically or behaviorally between aCSF and OTA conditions. This study …

A Comparison Of Muscle Function Between Female And Male Mice With A Deletion To The Pevk Region Of Titin, Amelia Adsen

Scripps Senior Theses

Titin, the third most abundant filament in muscle, serves many roles. It underlies muscle stiffness and functions as a signaling hub particularly during muscular growth. The PEVK region of titin contributes to muscle stiffness and is suspected to play a role in hypertrophic signaling. Most skeletal muscle studies have only used males, leaving a need to include females and investigate muscle physiology sex differences. To investigate sex differences in these functions, soleus muscles from mice with a deletion to the PEVK region (Ttn^∆112-158) and wild type (WT) mice around 100 days old were extracted and attached to an …

Female Titin Mutant Mice Outperform Young And Old Males, Reese Ger

Scripps Senior Theses

Exercise performance is widely believed to generally be maximal among young males. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the impact of sex or age on muscle performance. This study investigated the effects of sex and age on forelimb and all limb grip strength performance in wildtype and titin mutant mice. Titin is the largest known protein, with known involvement in muscle function. The mice in this study were Ttn∆112-158 with a 75% deletion to the PEVK region of titin. Based on limited existing research, we hypothesized that wildtype mice would outperform all Ttn∆112-158 mice, males would outperform females …

Robust Phylogenetic Regression, Richard Adams, Zoe Cain, Raquel Assis, Michael Degiorgio

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Modern comparative biology owes much to phylogenetic regression. At its conception, this technique sparked a revolution that armed biologists with phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) for disentangling evolutionary correlations from those arising from hierarchical phylogenetic relationships. Over the past few decades, the phylogenetic regression framework has become a paradigm of modern comparative biology that has been widely embraced as a remedy for shared ancestry. However, recent evidence has shown doubt over the efficacy of phylogenetic regression, and PCMs more generally, with the suggestion that many of these methods fail to provide an adequate defense against unreplicated evolution—the primary justification for using …