Physiology Commons^™

Plants Lack The Functional Neurotransmitters And Signaling Pathways Required For Sentience In Animals, David G. Robinson, Michael R. Blatt, Andreas Draguhn, Lincoln Taiz, Jon Mallatt

Animal Sentience

We cannot agree with Segundo-Ortin and Calvo that plants are sentient organisms. We have critically examined several aspects of their target article, and find their claims are not supported by the published evidence. We address these claims in sections on whether plants have a ‘neurobiology’ analogous to that of animal nervous systems, including neurotransmitters and synaptic receptors that respond to anesthetics; and whether plant signaling resembles neural transmission. For the latter, we especially consider the unique way plants signal their responses to wounding. Although the plant vascular system has been compared to the animal nervous system, animal blood vessels would …

Peer-Supervision Of Nursing Professionals: A Shield Against Burnout, Kyle Gamache, Sarah Gamache, Joseph Robillard

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout is a major risk in healthcare professions and is a significant contributor to the current nursing shortage. Strategies to combat burnout of healthcare professionals are in desperate need. The purpose of this project is to introduce the clinical peer supervision model as a method to alleviate burnout in nursing professionals.

Approach: Eight nurses from in-patient settings participated in a peer-supervision support group, modeled after existing European nursing and mental health provider-support protocols. To assess the effect of this intervention, qualitative data analysis was conducted on the transcripts of session and the results described. All participants reported statistically high …

Impact Of The Completed South Carolina Post Critical Incident Seminar On The Well-Being Of The Law Enforcement Participants, Michael P. Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover the impact of the completed South Carolina Post Critical Incident Seminar (SC PCIS) on the participants’ well-being, and the impact on the peer team members. Critical stress events or traumatic loss of life did have a significant impact on the law enforcement officer and those that were associated with that officer. The theory that guides this was study was the general strain theory; it allowed for the relationship between the duration, severity, and certainty of the stressors that had a negative influence on the well-being of those that attend the …

Stretch Activation During Fatigue Improves Relative Force Production In Fast-Contracting Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers, Philip C. Woods

Masters Theses

Stretch activation (F_SA) is the delayed increase in fiber specific tension (force per cross-sectional area) following a rapid stretch and can improve muscle performance during repetitive cyclical contractions. Historically considered minimal in skeletal muscle, our recent work showed the ratio ofstretch- to calcium-activated specific tension (F_SA/F₀) increased from 10 to 40% with greater inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels in soleus muscle fibers (Straight et al., 2019). Given Pi increases with muscle fatigue, we hypothesize that F_SA helps maintain force generation during fatigue. To test this, F_SA, induced by a stretch of 0.5% …

Effect Of Substitution Time On Physical, Technical And Cognitive Performance In Sub-Elite Male Field Hockey Players, Thomas W. Spooner, Andrew T. West, Mark Et Willems

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(6): 497-512, 2023. We examined the effects of substitution time (i.e., recovery time) in a simulated field hockey test on physical, technical and perceptual/cognitive performance. Nine sub-elite male field hockey players (age: 20 ± 2 yrs, height: 1.81 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 71 ± 10 kg, body fat: 10.3 ± 3.7%, O_2max: 67 ± 3 completed four 8-min 40-s bouts of high-intensity intermittent exercise with 2-min and 5.5-min substitution time replicating the demands of a 4-quarter field hockey match. After each bout, a 15-m maximal sprint, agility/dribbling test, passing accuracy test, and …

Effect Of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training On Control Of Involuntary Muscular Torque And Stimulation Intensity In Older Adults, Kyndall P. Ramirez, Nigel C. Jiwan, Joni A. Mettler Ph.D

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(3): 482-496, 2023. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 4-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training regimen on involuntary torque output and electrical stimulation intensity in older adults. Twelve older adults (ages: 68.4 ± 6.5 years; men: n = 6, women: n = 6; weight: 158.6 ± 27.3 lbs; height: 65.2 ± 2.1 in) received submaximal intensity NMES to the quadriceps for 4 weeks to determine training-related changes in stimulation intensity and involuntary control of muscular torque during the NMES protocol. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare torque …

A Comparison Of Continuous And Interval Exercise On Cognition In Young Adults, Emily C. Tagesen, Lawrence W. Judge, David M. Bellar

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(5): 458-468, 2023. Exercise stimulates the production and secretion of testosterone, cortisol, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and affects cognitive performance. However, the interaction of these variables is unknown. To investigate these interactions, 21 college-aged men completed two work-matched exercise protocols: continuous (CONT) exercise and an interval protocol (INT). Blood and saliva samples were collected before and after exercise to quantify BDNF, cortisol, and testosterone. Participants completed a battery of cognitive assessments after exercise. A MANOVA analysis of condition demonstrated that no domains were significantly different after CONT and INT (p > 0.05). A repeated …

Blood Flow Restriction Attenuates Muscle Damage In Resistance Exercise Performed Until Concentric Muscle Failure., Victor Magalhães Curty, Paulo Vinicios Camuzi Zovico, Rafael Barrera Salgueiro, Leonardo Carvalho Caldas, Richard Diego Leite, Nuno Manuel Frade Souza, Lucas Guimaraes-Ferreira, Valério Garrone Barauna

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 469-481, 2023. The present study aimed to evaluate whether blood flow restriction (BFR) can prevent exercise-induced muscle damage in resistance exercise (RE) performed until concentric muscle failure (CMF). Twenty healthy volunteers (25 ± 4 years, 80.4 ± 11.8 kg, 175 ± 8 cm) performed three sets of unilateral biceps curl exercise (40% of 1RM) with (RE + BFR) and without (RE) BFR until CMF. A third condition was to perform the same number of repetitions as RE + BFR without using BFR (matched). Performing fewer repetitions, RE + BFR caused muscle fatigue post-exercise as …

The Mindful Athlete Program, Joanne Bullard, Sojung Kim

Rowan-Virtua School of Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Scholarship

According to the spring 2020 NCAA Well-Being Study, collegiate student-athletes reported experiencing mental health concerns due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data indicated that student-athletes were experiencing mental health concerns 150%-250% higher than historically reported (NCAA, 2020). These concerns were prevalent among all divisions. For Division III student-athletes, mental health concerns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic included “feeling overwhelmed by all they had to do, sleep difficulties, feeling mentally exhausted, feeling very lonely, feeling a sense of loss, and feeling very lonely and sad” (NCAA, 2020). This study indicated desired resources of Division III student-athletes included elements …

Effects Of Equine Interaction On Mutual Autonomic Nervous System Responses And Interoception In A Learning Program For Older Adults, Ann L. Baldwin, Lisa Walters, Barbara K. Rector, Ann C. Alden

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Equine-assisted learning (EAL) may improve the health of older adults, but scientific data are sparse. This study investigated whether people aged 55 and older show increased heart rate variability (HRV) during EAL and awareness of bodily sensations that are overall pleasant. Subjects (n = 24) participated in mindful grooming during which they slowed their breathing and brushed a horse while noticing sensations in their body and watching the horse’s reactions. The subject’s and horse’s HRV were recorded simultaneously before, during, and after mindful grooming. For control, the same subjects performed mindful grooming with a plush simulation horse. During exit …

Ijes Self-Study On Participants’ Sex In Exercise Science: Sex-Data Gap And Corresponding Author Survey, Matthew J. Garver, James W. Navalta, Michel J.H. Heijnen, Dustin W. Davis, Joel D. Reece, Whitley J. Stone, Shannon R. Siegel, T. Scott Lyons

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(6): 364-376, 2023. A sex-data gap exists between females and males within the sport and exercise science literature, and implications are far-reaching. The purpose of this work was to (a) heed recent calls and scrutinize data from within IJES to address the gap and (b) gain insight on self-identified sex of IJES corresponding authors. The present self-study included all published manuscripts from 2008 through 2021. A total of 851 publications were included, and 806 (94.7%) reported data on participant sex. There was a difference between publications that included only females (n = 132) versus …

Directing Attention Externally Produces Consistent Vertical Jump Assessment Results, Logan T. Markwell, Hubert Makaruk, Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita, Jared M. Porter

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(5): 448-457, 2023. Recent research has demonstrated that consistent external attentional focus instructions produce more reliable jumping measurements compared to non-consistent focus of attention instructions. While previous research has examined the effects of different external attentional focus instructions, less is known about different external focus of attention instruction effects during a vertical jump. Given that previous work has demonstrated that consistent external focus of attention instructions produced reliable jumping estimations, we hypothesized that using multiple methods to direct attention externally would produce consistent vertical jump results. Using a within-participant design, college aged students (n …

Reliability Of A Novel Automated Ultrasound Technology For Body Composition Assessment And Comparisons With Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Adam Bradley, Lukus Klawitter, Emma Carver, Zach Johnson, Ryan Mcgrath, Sherri Stastny, Bryan Christensen, Kyle Hackney

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 393-401, 2023. Body composition tools vary in reliability, portability, and accessibility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of MuscleSound® (MS) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for both two compartment (region) and three compartment (tissue) models. A secondary aim was to compare body composition values produced by both devices. Fifty participants (n = 25 male, n = 25 female) aged 18-39 years completed two body composition assessments, twice in a single session. Participants arrived at the lab after a 12-hour fast. DXA required participants to lay supine for 10-15 minutes …

Effects Of Different Percentages Of Blood Flow Restriction On Muscle Oxygen Saturation While Walking, Clayton Shriver, Yvette Figueroa, Jayson R. Gifford, Patrick Davis

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 411-428, 2023. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of different relative pressures of blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) while walking at 3.0 mph (4.83 kph). Fifteen physically active healthy adults performed seven 5-minute stages of walking at 3.0 mph with a blood flow restriction cuff applied to the proximal portion of the left or right leg while bilateral SmO₂ changes were measured using near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) on the medial head of the gastrocnemius (GM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles. Other measurements including …

Arch Stiffness Does Not Determine Running Economy In Recreational Runners, Ian Bradford, Padraig Kirkwood, Jared Eddy, Phillip Essenmacher, Jean L. Mccrory, Brian K. Leary

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 402-410, 2023. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between foot length, arch stiffness, and running economy in recreational runner at low running velocities. Sixteen trained endurance (age 20.5 ± 0.4 yrs, height 172 ± 1.8 cm, and mass 68.53 ± 2.40 kg) athletes had their foot anthropometrics and running economy measured. Foot anthropometrics including Foot Length (FL), Arch Stiffness Index (ASI), and Achilles Tendon Moment Arm Length (ATML) were assessed. Subjects then completed a maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) test and running economy (RE) assessment. RE was measured …

Training Status Impacts Metabolic Response To A High-Protein Weight Loss Diet In Recreationally Resistance-Trained Females., Alyssa A. Olenick, Regis C. Pearson, Nathan T. Jenkins

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 377-392, 2023. This study investigated the effects of a novel high-protein diet template on postprandial metabolism and body composition (e.g., waist and hip circumference, body fat (%), fat mass, fat-free mass) in recreationally resistance-trained females. Fifteen females adhered to an eight-week high-protein dietary intervention (~1.5-1.6 g·kg^-1·day^-1) administered via template format. Pre- and post-intervention visits included anthropometrics, measurement of body composition, and an acute high-fat meal challenge. The high-fat meal challenge (61% fat) consisted of fasting postprandial blood glucose, resting metabolic rate (RMR), fat and carbohydrate oxidation assessed at 60-, 120-, …

Anthropometric Predictors Of Conventional Deadlift Kinematics And Kinetics: A Preliminary Study, Dale S. Keith, Daniel Scherrer, Brandon Nunley, Jake R. Boykin, Jacob J. Green, Madelin R. Siedler, Christian Rodriguez, Patrick S. Harty, Matthew T. Stratton, John R. Harry, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(1): 429-447, 2023. The purpose of this preliminary analysis was to determine if there are relationships between anthropometric characteristics (arm length, torso length, thigh length, and shank length) and conventional deadlift (CDL) kinematics and kinetics during a 5 sets of 5 repetitions (5 x 5) CDL routine in resistance-trained males. Eleven males who had experience with the deadlift exercise were included in this analysis (age: 21.5 ± 1.4 y; height: 180.7 ± 5.7 cm; body mass: 89.9 ± 16.0 kg). Anthropometrics were measured by a 3-dimensional optical scanner. The participants underwent a 5 x 5 …

Endothelial Cell Nrf2-Ko Attenuates Endothelial Function And Skeletal Muscle Antioxidant Capacity, Elizabeth J. Pekas, Cody P. Anderson, Michael F. Allen, Kollyn B. Jallen, Dong Gun Jin, Andres Benitez-Albiter, Christian D. Sanchez Tato, Lie Gao, Neha Dhyani, Tara L. Rudebush, Irving H. Zucker, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial cells line the inner surface of blood vessels and play a major role in modulating blood flow and gas exchange. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a contributor to cardiovascular disease development, and it is well-accepted that excessive reactive oxygen species (harmful molecules) likely contribute to endothelial dysfunction. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered the master regulator of cellular protection in response to elevated reactive oxygen species. Therefore, Nrf2 may be a potential therapeutic target to protect against endothelial dysfunction. However, the roles of endothelial cell-specific Nrf2 on endothelial function are not …

Impaired Hydrogen Sulfide Protein Expression In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease, Dong Gun Jin, Kollyn B. Jallen, Liz Pekas, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

INTRODUCTION: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gaseous signaling molecule that serves various roles in the vasculature, such as upregulating angiogenesis, vascular smooth muscle relaxation, protecting endothelial function, and regulating redox balance. Despite H₂S’s positive impacts on vascular homeostasis, it is important to note that its actions depend on its concentrations. At high concentrations, H₂S has been reported to increase oxidative stress damage, such as oxidation of cysteine residues and lipid peroxidation. This may indicate that H₂S may act as a ‘double-edged sword’ in the field of vascular physiology. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) …

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Participates In The Host Response To Intra-Amniotic Inflammation Leading To Preterm Labor And Birth, Tomi Kanninen, Li Tao, Roberto Romero, Yi Xu, Marcia Arenas-Hernandez, Jose Galaz, Zhenjie Liu, Derek Miller, Dustyn Levenson, Jonathan M. Greenberg, Jonathan Panzer, Justin Padron, Kevin Theis, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

Objective: To determine if bacteria (Ureaplasma parvum and Sneathia spp.) associated with intra-amniotic infection can trigger the induction of cytokine Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) in vitro.

Material or subjects: Amniotic fluid and chorioamniotic membrane (CAM) were collected from women with sPTL who delivered at term (n=30) or preterm without intra-amniotic inflammation (n=34), with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (SIAI, n=27), or with intra-amniotic infection (IAI, n=17). Amnion epithelial cells (AECs), Ureaplasma parvum, and Sneathia spp. were also utilized.

Methods: The expression of TSLP, TSLPR, and IL-7Rα was evaluated in amniotic fluid or CAM by …