Physiology Commons^™

Risk Of Low Energy Availability In Elite Male Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury, Savannah Glasgow

All Master's Theses

Recent research examining male able-bodied athletes has suggested that males are at risk for low energy availability (LEA); however, there is a paucity of research pertaining to prevalence amongst male athletes with an impairment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the risk of LEA and prevalence of symptoms related to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), including risk of disordered eating, hormonal profiles, and bone mineral density (BMD) scans, in male wheelchair para athletes. Collegiate- and national-level male athletes (n = 9) with spinal cord injury (SCI) completed 7-day concurrent diet and training logs, Eating Disorder Examination …

Effects Of Gap Junction Blockage On Regenerating Body Segments Of Lumbriculus Variegatus, Monica K. Richmond

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Lumbriculus variegatus is a freshwater annelid that is well known for its regenerative capacity. There are many different factors that affect regeneration in animals. Cell-to-cell communication is a key component of regeneration. Gap junctions are made up of proteins that create a channel that connects the cytoplasm of two cells. Many molecules and ions pass through the gap junctions that can affect regeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine if blocking gap junctions would have an impact on regenerating body segments of L. variegatus and what effects it would produce. L. variegatus was exposed to a known gap …

The Immunological Response To Chronic Stress In Obese Mice, Matthew Corey Parsley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Obesity and psychological stress are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and have a positive correlation with vascular dysfunction. This functional deficit has been linked to a pro-inflammatory milieu, exacerbated by an upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has been shown to rescue vascular impairment in these models. The purpose of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of obesity and chronic stress on neuroimmune cell populations, and assess if febuxostat is able mediate immune alterations.

Male mice (n=48) were assigned into either normal chow (lean) and high-fat diet (obese) groups. The lean animals …

Combinatorial Discovery And Validation Of Heptapeptides With Utp Binding Induced Structure, Daniela Kroiss, James Aramini, Sangitaa Ragoonath, Rein V. Ulijn, Tell Tuttle

Advanced Science Research Center

In biology, supramolecular recognition typically involves an ‘induced-fit’ mechanism, where structures rearrange upon complexation to accommodate binding ligands. Designing minimalistic compounds with such adaptability is challenging as they involve subtle conformational changes that are energetically similar. Here, we demonstrate the integration of combinatorial screening with molecular modelling to identify heptapeptides that form a stable loop upon recognition of uridine triphosphate (UTP). Peptide sequences selected using phage display were refined computationally and correlated with experimental KD values. This combined approach may serve as a method for the de novo selection and subsequent rationalization of the compositional and organizational principles that dictate …

Divalent Metal Cation Entry And Cytotoxicity In Jurkat T Cells: Role Of Trpm7 Channels, Alayna N. Mellott

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Humans are exposed daily to a variety of metals that can be harmful to our immune system. Although certain divalent metal cations are essential for numerous cellular functions and are critical trace elements in humans, the uptake mechanisms of these ions remain mostly unknown. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7), which is expressed in a variety of human cell types, including lymphocytes and macrophages, conducts many divalent metal cations. TRPM7 channels are largely inactive under normal physiological conditions due to cytoplasmic magnesium acting as a channel inhibitor. Magnesium is a cofactor for many biochemical reactions. Low serum levels of magnesium, …

The Dynamics Of Life And Death: Mitochondrial Fragmentation, Mitophagy, And Swelling During Neuronal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury, Anthony Roy Anzell

Wayne State University Dissertations

Ischemic brain injury caused by cardiac arrest or stroke continue to be leading caused of death and disability in the U.S. While restoration of blood flow is necessary to salvage ischemic tissue, reperfusion paradoxically exacerbates injury via the production of reactive oxygen species, which, damage mitochondria and induce cell death. Therefore, it is critical to have stringent quality control mechanisms to ensure a healthy mitochondrial network. Mitochondrial fragmentation has been well characterized in the progression of ischemia/reperfusion and its association with cell death. Conversely, the role of mitophagy has been controversial regarding whether upregulation of mitophagy serves as a restorative …

Causes And Potential Treatment For Altered Muscle Metaboreflex Control Of Ventricular Vascular Interactions In Heart Failure, Joseph Thomas Mannozzi

Wayne State University Dissertations

Muscle Metaboreflex Activation occurs as a result of metabolic accumulation within active skeletal muscle that stimulates type III and IV afferents. This reflex in healthy subjects causes increased ventricular contraction, tachycardia, enhanced central blood volume mobilization, and 2 mediated vasodilation as a means to increase mean arterial pressure and thereby improve perfusion pressure of active skeletal muscle. However, to date no study has evaluated the interaction between the observed changes in ventricular and vascular dynamics or how the reflex impacts contraction relaxation dynamics before and after induction of heart failure Furthermore, no study has evaluated the impact of chronic selective …

Functional Analysis Of Fam83d And Dupd1 – Two Novel Neruogenic Skeletal Muscle Atrophy-Induced Genes, Lisa Michelle Cooper

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fam83d and Dupd1 have been identified as novel genes in skeletal muscle that are upregulated in response to neurogenic atrophy in a mouse model. qPCR analysis reveaed both genes are expressed in skeletal muscle with Fam83d expression being highest during myoblast proliferation, while Dupd1 expression is highest during myotube differentiation. Overexpression of either protein results in inhibition of proper muscle cell differentiation as evidenced by repression of both myosin heavy chain and myogenin expression. Characterization of transcriptional activity revealed both genes are modulated by myogenic regulatory factors and additionally, Dupd1 expression is enhanced by dexamethasone treatment. Assessment of subcellular localization …

Comparison Of Lower Extremity Strength And Strength Symmetry Among U.S. Ski Team Sports, Benjamin J. Adams

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Most research in ski sports performance, injury, and sport physiological demands focuses on alpine ski racing. Very little research is available describing aerial and moguls ski competitors. Purpose: Compare lower extremity strength limb symmetry index (LSI) and relative strength (RS) among alpine, mogul, and aerials ski competitors. Methods: Archival data from 156 males and females from the U.S. Ski Team at Olympic, World Cup, and national levels were analyzed to compare RS and LSI among ski sports. Strength data consisted of maximal isometric bilateral squat strength values from each leg independently. A 3x2x2 factorial ANOVA was conducted to determine differences …

Mechanotransduction Of Leukocyte Transmigration, Cynthia Aguilar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The endothelium is among the most mechanically enriched environments in the body. It is exposed to a range of hemodynamic-induced and extracellular forces. Of these extracellular forces, the migration of leukocytes through the endothelium will contribute both to classic immune response and development of certain pathologies. While the path of migration across the endothelium will depend on leukocyte and vascular bed type, recent evidence has suggested that the intercellular mechanical microenvironment and forces are also equally as important to this process. Therefore, we present here a model that mimics specific physiological states of a stagnant hemodynamic flow in which we …

The Evolution Of Dragons, Laura J. Mayfield

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Dragons have been depicted in human art as early as 4500 BCE. For centuries, these fantasy creatures have inspired countless folk and fantasy tales, as well as appearing in the art of different cultures around the world. Now there are thousands of different depictions of these huge, flying, fire-breathing lizards, but are any of them possible? In this study, I reference peer-reviewed scientific articles, phylogenetic analysis, and paleoart studies to create biologically-sound dragons. Basing the dragon lineage on a real branch of webbed-winged scansoriopterygids—an extinct family of climbing and gliding maniraptoran dinosaurs—I explored the possible wing-structure, fire-breathing abilities, and effects …

Demographics And Physical Activity Levels Of Esports Athletes At The University Of Akron, Madison Morgan, Patrick Barrett, Madeleine Stoll

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Esports is rapidly growing and gaining popularity, however there is a lack of research regarding physical activity levels of eSport athletes, especially those at the collegiate level. This study summarizes the current research and findings related to exercise, overall health, and video game performance. All varsity eSport athletes for The University of Akron varsity team were “participants” in this study. A survey tool was designed through Qualtrics (Qualtrics 2020© Provo, UT), an online survey instrument, to assess current physical activity levels, preferences and tolerance for exercise intensity, and perceptions about how physical activity affects gaming performance. This survey was distributed …

Effects Of A Strength Training Intervention And Quality Of Life: Case Study On A Sedentary Adult Female, Lucas Frazier

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of the project is to evaluate physiological and quality of life changes in a

sedentary, senior-aged (55 or older) female using a six-week strength training

intervention. This case study will instruct how to perform a push-pull-legs split

routine by going to the gym three times per week. Prior to the six week intervention,

both quantitative and qualitative variables will be collected to assess baseline data,

including the subject’s resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, grip strength, one-

repetition maximum on seven whole body exercises (dumbbell bicep curl, tricep

pushdown, barbell bench press, wide-grip lat pull-down, seated dumbbell press, …

Non-Invasive Method For Leptin Supplementation In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Regan Mcnamara

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I tested the hypothesis that recombinant leptin protein can be introduced to zebrafish in vivo through non-invasive soaking in a solution containing the protein. One way to study various molecules’ effects in vivo is through intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular injections during the embryonic or larval stage, which is invasive, difficult to administer, and can have a high mortality rate. 48 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish were soaked in a His-tagged recombinant leptin protein solution at 10 nM and 100 nM concentrations (produced by Genscript). After soaking, zebrafish larvae were washed extensively to remove all recombinant protein on their exterior before homogenization. …

Artificially-Generated Scenes Demonstrate The Importance Of Global Properties During Early Scene Perception, Mavuso Wesley Mzozoyana

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

During scene perception, studies have shown the importance of the global distribution of a scene. Electrophysiological studies have found these global effects concentrated corresponding to the second positive and first negative peaks (P2 and N1, respectively) of the Event-related potential (ERP) during the first 600 ms of scene perception. We sought to understand in Experiment 1, to what extent early responses to scenes were driven by mid-level global information such as the degree of naturalness or openness in a scene image in the absence of specific low-and high-level information (color and semantic object detail). This was done using artificially-generated stimuli …

Exploring The Impact Of Affective Processing On Visual Perception Of Large-Scale Spatial Environments, Auroabah S. Almufleh

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the interaction between emotions and visual perception using large scale spatial environment as the medium of this interaction. Emotion has been documented to have an early effect on scene perception (Olofsson, Nordin, Sequeira, & Polich, 2008). Yet, most popularly-used scene stimuli, such as the IAPS or GAPED stimulus sets often depict salient objects embedded in naturalistic backgrounds, or “events” which contain rich social information, such as human faces or bodies. And thus, while previous studies are instrumental to our understanding of the role that social-emotion plays in visual perception, they do not isolate the effect of emotion …

Squids Use Multiple Escape Jet Patterns Throughout Ontogeny, Carly A. York, Ian K. Bartol, Paul S. Krueger, Joseph T. Thompson

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Throughout their lives, squids are both predators and prey for a multitude of animals, many of which are at the top of ocean food webs, making them an integral component of the trophic structure of marine ecosystems. The escape jet, which is produced by the rapid expulsion of water from the mantle cavity through a funnel, is central to a cephalopod's ability to avoid predation throughout its life. Although squid undergo morphological and behavioral changes and experience remarkably different Reynolds number regimes throughout their development, little is known about the dynamics and propulsive efficiency of escape jets throughout ontogeny. We …

Investigation Of Molecular Mechanisms Of Liver Preservation Injury: A Complication Preceding Organ Transplantation, Ria C. Fyffe-Freil

Theses and Dissertations

Of the over 108,000 American awaiting a life-saving organ transplant today, over 12,000 (11%) of those need a new liver (OPTN, 2020). Last year, only 35% of patients on the waiting list for an organ were transplanted. Improving the quality of marginal organs by preventing or reversing preservation injury could vastly increase the number of transplants performed. Washout of circulating blood during liver procurement with cold University of Wisconsin solution flushes out any endogenous pro-survival signaling molecules. We investigated lysophospholipid (LPL) surface receptors (G-protein coupled receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine- 1-phosphate (S1P)) and their role in protecting hepatocytes …

Genetic And Cellular Models For The Study Of Ptk2b And Adam10 In Adaptive Thermogenesis And Metabolism, Jared S. Farrar

Theses and Dissertations

In a cellular model, we demonstrate that the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase 2 beta (PTK2B) plays a critical role in mouse cultured beige adipocyte differentiation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-out of Ptk2b results in non-differentiating white adipocytes and differentiated beige adipocytes with significantly reduced thermogenic gene and protein expression, enlarged lipid droplet size, and altered mitochondrial respiration. Together, these data in a cell culture system provide evidence for a role of PTK2B in the differentiation of mouse beige adipocytes.

In the process of developing a new mouse model utilizing the adipocyte selective Adipoq-Cre transgenic mouse, strong genetic linkage between a gene …

An Identification Of Tgf-B'S Role In Ischemic Cholangiopathy, Courtney Chmielewski

Theses and Dissertations

Organ transplants are a necessary intervention for many diseases that result in end stage organ failure. The donation pool cannot match the demands of the transplant list, so expanding the pool to include donation after cardiac death (DCD) is desired. However, there are increased odds of graft failure and ischemic cholangiopathy leading to inferior outcomes when DCD livers are used. Ischemic cholangiopathy consists of multiple diffuse strictures and fibrosis of the bile ducts leading to a loss of epithelialization and fibrosis. The cellular mechanism is proposed to be epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). TGF-�� is seen as a key initiator of EMT, …