Physiology Commons^™

Differential Activation Of Microglia In An In Vitro Model Of Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Bhakti Patel

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

An in vitro model of intracerebral hemorrhage was established to examine the protective versus cytotoxic roles of microglia in the context of mild versus severe injury. Co-cultures of microglia, astrocytes, and granule neurons were prepared from the cerebellar cortex of neonatal rats, and grown in standard medium containing fetal bovine serum or, in some cases, a serum-free chemically defined medium. To mimic hemorrhagic stroke, co-cultures grown for 7-8 days in vitro were challenged with two different concentrations of the toxic blood product hemin, corresponding to a mild versus a severe brain bleed. Immunocyto-chemical, real-time RT-PCR, iron deposition, and cell survival …

The Development Of Skeletal Muscle In Young Horses: An Ultrasonography And Satellite Cell Approach, Emma K. Lavigne

Honors Scholar Theses

Muscle growth in young horses is characterized by an increase in muscle cross-sectional area, which can be accomplished through the activation and differentiation of satellite cells. Satellite cells can be stimulated or inhibited in response to different cytokines and growth factors and are key mediators of muscle hypertrophy and regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle in horses under 5 years of age and to obtain preliminary data on satellite cell behavior in foals. The area, width, height, and subcutaneous fat were measured using ultrasonography at 6-month increments over the …

Thrombospondin-1 Decreases No-Mediated Vasodilation In Coronary Arterioles In Advancing Age., Grant Mckenzie

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Pre-Release Physical Stressors On Post-Release Success Of Hatchery-Reared Spotted Seatrout, Taylor Westbrook Guest

Master's Theses

Alteration of habitat associated with coastal development and increased demand for food and recreation can result in the depletion of fisheries resources such as the Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), the Gulf of Mexico’s most popular recreational fish. Stock enhancement, or the release of cultured fish to supplement wild populations, is one potential tool for managing important fisheries resources. Although much effort has gone into marine stock enhancement, the effectiveness of stocking is not well established, and techniques for ensuring success have not been developed. Although the basic biology of the Spotted Seatrout is well known, comparatively little is known about …

Pathological Effects Of Repeated Concussive Tbi In Mouse Models: Periventricular Damage And Ventriculomegaly, Richard H. Wolferz Jr.

Honors Scholar Theses

Repeated concussive traumatic brain injury (rcTBI) is the most prominent form of head injury affecting the brain, with an estimated 1.7 million Americans affected each year (Kuhn 2012). Neurologists have been concerned about the danger of repeated head impacts since the 1920’s, but researchers have only begun to understand the long-term effects of rcTBI (McKee 2009). Although symptoms can be as mild as dizziness, current research suggests that multiple concussions can lead to a progressive degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) (Luo 2008, McKee 2009, Kane 2013). Research on the brain is just beginning to scratch the …

Manipulation Of The Microbiome And Its Impact On Functional Recovery Following Ischemic Stroke, Michal Jandzinski

Honors Scholar Theses

Each year, nearly 800,000 individuals residing in the United States will have a stroke. Of these, about 130,000 cases will prove fatal while many of the survivors will be forced to live with disability for the remainder of their lives. Out of all strokes over 87% are ischemic strokes. The widespread incidence of this debilitating condition costs the United States an estimated $36.5 billion dollars every single year. Despite this, clinicians are armed with very little to combat the disease. Recent research developments have brought about the rise in awareness about the importance of the microbiome, the various gut flora …

Oral Vs. Nasal Breathing During Submaximal Aerobic Exercise, Chase Ovila Platt Lacomb

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

When comparing oral breathing versus nasal breathing more volume of air can be transported through the oral passageway, but nasal breathing can lead to slower respiration rates and cleaner inspired air. The purpose of this study is to find the most efficient mode of breathing during different intensities of submaximal aerobic exercise. There were 9 males and 10 females that completed this study. First test was a VO₂ Max test, 3.0 mph for 3 minutes, with increases in 1.0 mph every minute after that. Using a regression equation running speeds were determined for each individual’s submaximal intensities. The desire …

Functional Significance Of Gill Claudin Proteins In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Osmoregulation, Joanna Katarzyna Bujak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Claudin proteins, a key element of tight junction complexes, are known to control paracellular permeability. In euryhaline fish, changes in claudin abundance and localization are critical during salinity acclimation. In seawater, a leaky paracellular pathway that facilitates sodium extrusion is hypothesized to be controlled by claudin proteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Claudin-10c, -10d -10e and Claudin-30 in gill function in freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). I examined mRNA and protein abundance along with cellular localization. A tissue distribution survey showed that all of the claudins studied were predominantly expressed …

The Reproductive Ecology Of The Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus Horridus, In Northwestern Arkansas: Interactions Between Environment, Steroid Hormones, And Life History, Craig Michael Lind

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation I examined the relationship between individual energetic status, hormone production, and life history trait expression in field-active Timber Rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus. In chapter one I reviewed what is known regarding these relationships in snakes and defined major research goals. In chapter two I described the seasonal profile of testosterone (T) and corticosterone (CORT) in relation to the breeding season and to individual energetic status in males. Results showed that the seasonal pattern of T production in C. horridus was different than other pit viper species with similar mating patterns. Testosterone was elevated in the months leading up …

Proteomic Analysis Of Media From Lung Cancer Cells Reveals Role Of 14-3-3 Proteins In Cachexia, Julie B. Mclean, Jennifer S. Moylan, Erin M. Wolf Horrell, Francisco H. Andrade

Physiology Faculty Publications

Aims: At the time of diagnosis, 60% of lung cancer patients present with cachexia, a severe wasting syndrome that increases morbidity and mortality. Tumors secrete multiple factors that contribute to cachectic muscle wasting, and not all of these factors have been identified. We used Orbitrap electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to identify novel cachexia-inducing candidates in media conditioned with Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LCM).

Results: One-hundred and 58 proteins were confirmed in three biological replicates. Thirty-three were identified as secreted proteins, including 14-3-3 proteins, which are highly conserved adaptor proteins known to have over 200 binding partners. We confirmed the …

Outline Plan For A Student-Involved Fitness Assessment Program At Western Michigan University, Joanna Gangwisch

Honors Theses

This research was aimed at developing a fitness assessment program that would provide undergraduate exercise science students at Western Michigan University (WMU) with hands on experience that would successfully prepare them for their internships and future careers as well as benefiting the campus community at large. Data for this research was obtained by examining the student recreation center websites and sending out an email/phone questionnaire to WMU’s 10 peer institutions. Direct comparisons were made and evaluated. On the basis of the results of this research, it can be concluded that WMU’s exercise science department and student recreation center together could …

Is There A Relationship Between Physical Inactivity And Visceral Fat Accumulation In Pregnant Women?, Ashlyn R. Showalter, Danielle Brown

Symposium of Student Scholars

Association of Physical Inactivity with Visceral Fat Accumulation in Pregnant Women

Ashlyn Showalter, Danielle Brown

Introduction: Abdominal obesity is associated with chronic diseases such as obesity and coronary artery disease (1). Abdominal (or visceral) fat is strongly correlated with an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. Recent research shows that pregnancy is associated with high levels of visceral fat beyond appropriate levels; however, no studies have linked them with physical inactivity. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical inactivity and high visceral fat accumulation in pregnancy.

Methods:

•We recruited eleven pregnant women who are currently in …

Compensatory Review Addressing Acute Ischemic Strokes And Bell's Palsy, Patrick R. Godfrey

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

In this study, I review the clinical diagnostic procedure for facial weakness; evaluate the physiological perspective of acute ischemic strokes and Bell's palsy; and assess possible consequences of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) treatment, and the ramification tPA has on Bell's palsy.

Exercise Ameliorates High Fat Diet Induced Cardiac Dysfunction By Increasing Interleukin 10., Varun Kesherwani, Vishalakshi Chavali, Bryan T. Hackfort, Suresh C. Tyagi, Paras K. Mishra

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Increasing evidence suggests that a sedentary lifestyle and a high fat diet (HFD) leads to cardiomyopathy. Moderate exercise ameliorates cardiac dysfunction, however underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Increased inflammation due to induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and attenuation of anti-inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) contributes to cardiac dysfunction in obese and diabetics. We hypothesized that exercise training ameliorates HFD- induced cardiac dysfunction by mitigating obesity and inflammation through upregulation of IL-10 and downregulation of TNF-α. To test this hypothesis, 8 week old, female C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD and exercised (swimming …

Effect Of Caffeine On Skeletal Muscle Growth, David M. Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this mentoring environment grant was to determine the role of LKB1 on the activation of p53 by exercise, muscle development, and pharmacological means. The primary research objectives and findings are listed below:

Induction Of Autophagy Markers Is Associated With Attenuation Of Mir-133a In Diabetic Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Mechanical Unloading., Shyam Sundar Nandi, Michael J. Duryee, Hamid R. Shahshahan, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Daniel R. Anderson, Paras K. Mishra

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Autophagy is ubiquitous in all forms of heart failure and cardioprotective miR-133a is attenuated in human heart failure. Previous reports from heart failure patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation demonstrated that autophagy is upregulated in the LV of the failing human heart. Studies in the murine model show that diabetes downregulates miR-133a. However, the role of miR-133a in the regulation of autophagy in diabetic hearts is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that diabetes exacerbates cardiac autophagy by inhibiting miR-133a in heart failure patients undergoing LVAD implantation. The miRNA assay was performed on the LV of 15 diabetic (D) …

Alcohol And Nicotine Co-Dependence, Scott C. Steffensen, Sterling N. Sudweeks

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alcoholism and nicotine (NIC) addiction are chronic relapsing disorders that have enormous impact on society. Alcohol and NIC are the most commonly abused drugs, and a large body of evidence indicates that there is a positive correlation between their consumption. Today, smoking NIC-containing tobacco products is recognized as one of the greatest risk factors in the development of alcoholism. A major goal of addiction research is to characterize the critical neural substrates that are most sensitive to these drugs, adapt in association with chronic consumption and drive subsequent drug-seeking behavior. The long-term objective of our research program is to advance …

Exercise In Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Brief Review, Rachel L. Kerstiens, Matt Green

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2): 192-201, 2015. Research examining acute and long-term responses to exercise of individuals with Downs Syndrome (DS) is sparse. However, if this group experiences benefits associated with improved quantity or quality of life, it would be important to elucidate specific responses and discourage adoption of a sedentary lifestyle in individuals with DS. Specifically, these individuals have multiple blunted physiological responses to exercise both at the onset and termination of an acute exercise bout. Mechanistically, this could be rooted in hormonal responses which are blunted, in comparison to non-DS participants. Specific studies indicate individuals with …

Children In Organized Hockey: How Much Physical Activity Do They Really Get?, Carla Van Den Berg, Angela M. Kolen

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2): 184-191, 2015. For optimal physical and mental health and child growth, development and maturation, the Canadian physical activity guidelines recommend children participate in minimally 60 minutes of moderate intense physical activity each day. It is often believed that children’s participation in sport provides sufficient physical activity to meet these recommendations. The purpose of this study was to measure the amount and intensity of physical activity obtained by children participating in a regularly scheduled ice hockey practice and game. Actigraph GT3X triaxial accelerometers (motion detectors) were used to determine the intensity and amount of physical …

Health-Related Fitness And Energy Expenditure In Recreational Youth Rock Climbers 8-16 Years Of Age, Shannon R. Siegel, Jacob M. Robinson, Sean A. Johnston, Martin R. Lindley, Karin A. Pfeiffer

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2): 174-183, 2015. Information on the characteristics of youth rock climbers is minimal. The purpose was to 1) Determine the influence of a three-month program of bouldering and vertical rock climbing on the anthropometry and health-related physical fitness of relatively novice youth climbers, and 2) determine whether rock climbing and bouldering in novice youth climbers can provide adequate levels of moderate to vigourous physical activity (US DHHS, 2008). Fifteen participants (11 males and 4 females; mean age = 11.5 ± 2.3 years) from a newly established youth climbing team were assessed twice weekly during their …