Physiology Commons^™

Lactate's Role In Appetite Suppression, Seth Mccarthy

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Once considered metabolic waste produced during exercise, lactate is now known to have diverse roles in biology. Muscle-derived lactate can travel through the bloodstream and be taken up by other tissues and i) oxidized, ii) converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis, or iii) bind to its receptor to trigger molecular signaling cascades. Lactate has been described as a “myokine” capable of inter-organ crosstalk and compelling evidence demonstrates lactate’s role as a signalling molecule in pathways related to the regulation of appetite. The purpose of this dissertation was to further elucidate lactate’s role in appetite regulation using series of studies aimed at …

Reversible Degradation Of Peptidoglycan By Lytic Transglycosylases, Aaron Devereaux

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a burden on the global healthcare system with an estimated cost of billions of dollars and millions of deaths each year. Recently, there has been little to no development on new antibiotics to treat bacterial infection, and any that are developed become resisted to within a few years. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria contain a mesh-like layer called peptidoglycan (PG) that surrounds their cells providing strength, cell shape, and protection from their environments. This layer is a polymer of N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) connected via a b-1,4-glycosidic bond, with each strand being cross-linked …

Fiber Photometry Analysis Of Spontaneous Dopamine Signals: The Z-Scored Data Are Not The Data, Conner W. Wallace, Clare Y. Slinkard, Rachael Shaughnessy, Katherine M. Holleran, Samuel W. Centanni, Christopher C. Lapish, Sara R. Jones

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Fluorescent sensors have revolutionized the measurement of molecules in the brain, and the dLight dopamine sensor has been used extensively to examine reward- and cue-evoked dopamine release, but only recently has the field turned its attention to spontaneous release events. Analysis of spontaneous events typically requires evaluation of hundreds of events over minutes to hours, and the most common method of analysis, z-scoring, was not designed for this purpose. Here, we compare the accuracy and reliability of three different analysis methods to identify pharmacologically induced changes in dopamine release and uptake in freely moving C57BL/6J mice. The D1-like receptor antagonist …

Exploring Associations Between Health And Fitness Measures And Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors In Rural Firefighters, Isaiah Mews

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and muscular fitness measures in career rural firefighters. MetS is a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death among firefighters. Previous research has shown that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely related to MetS, but the role of muscular fitness variables remains unclear. This study aims to determine if fitness measures, such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power, can give insight into MetS in firefighters. Participants were recruited from a Southeastern rural fire department and underwent assessments of muscular fitness, …

Characterization Of Dietary And Hormonal Influences On Renal Sodium Transporters And Channels In Rodent Models, Evelyn Chan

Scripps Senior Theses

Within kidneys, a diverse array of renal epithelial cells works to maintain electrolyte and water balance to regulate blood pressure and pH. These cells contain varying types of sodium transporters that adjust sodium reabsorption according to the body’s needs. Previous studies have observed sex-specific differences in renal sodium transporter regulation, which are thought to optimize reproduction in females. In this study, we performed high resolution microscopy and detailed characterization of cell type-specific expression and localization of major sodium transporters and channels in rodents in response to dietary and hormonal influences. Specifically, we examined the impact of dietary salt intake and …

Exploring The Placebo Effect On The Cortisol Stress Response, Povheng Yam

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The placebo effect is well-studied on pain perception and is often observed to have a pain-reducing effect in patients. A few studies suggest that the placebo effect can influence physiological changes in people. To date, not many studies have examined the placebo effect on stress; thus, the current study explored the placebo effect on participants’ cortisol stress response and self-reported stress while undergoing a modified acute stress task, the Sing-a-Song Stress Test (SSST). The current study includes 44 participants (22 in the control group and 22 in the treatment group). A deceptive stress-reducing tincture (filled with water) was used as …

Computational Approaches For Diagnosing Neurological Impairments And Restoring Functional Movement, Serhii Bahdasariants

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is the primary means by which the nervous system converts intention into interaction with the environment. Voluntary limb motion enables standing, walking, reaching, and grasping—actions that underpin self‑care, communication, and economic participation. When diseases or injuries disrupt the pathways that couple neural commands to muscle forces—whether through cortical stroke, spinal cord injury, or peripheral nerve damage—mechanical outcomes such as weakness, loss of coordination, and ultimately reduced mobility emerge. These impairments cascade into secondary complications, increased dependence on caregivers, and diminished quality of life. Quantifying how the lesion alters the mechanics of movement is therefore essential for designing targeted interventions …

The Impact Staphylococcus Aureus Has On Conventional And Organic Dairy Herds In New Hampshire And New York, Jacqueline Rose Holmes

Honors Theses and Capstones

Staphylococcus aureus is a potentially virulent bacterium that causes mastitis in dairy cattle. The toxins produced from S. aureus impact host immunity, damage the mammary gland, and can adapt to cause antimicrobial resistance. It is important to manage both organic and conventional farms correctly by practicing proper hygiene while milking and providing a clean environment. There is a significant increase of S. aureus cases on organic farms compared to conventional, so there may be ways in which organic management and treatment options could be altered to reduce economic loss and animal suffering. The thesis focuses on the involvement S. aureus …

Stress And Behavior In Beef Calves During Weaning, Kathleen E. Tierney

Theses and Dissertations

Animal welfare in commercial livestock operations has been an increasing topic of concern. It is well known that stress can have significant behavioral and physiological repercussions. It is especially important in commercial operations to reduce stress, as animal efficiency is the leading priority. In an effort to reduce stress on animals and improve welfare in livestock operations, several studies have evaluated common husbandry practices. One of the most widely studied practices is weaning, which encapsulates the process of removing the young from the dam. Several studies have evaluated the effects of weaning on beef cattle through a variety of behavioral …

Effect Of Exercise In Children, Jessica L. Moler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Although the health benefits of exercise in adults are well established (Ruegsegger & Booth, 2017), the role of physical activity in promoting health in children is often overlooked. This narrative review synthesizes current research on the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of exercise in children aged 5 to 18, with a focus on providing practical, evidence-based guidance for families, educators, and healthcare providers. Studies consistently show that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors (Dias et al., 2017; Kovács et al., 2009; Migueles et al., 2023), improves insulin sensitivity (Bell et al., 2007; Davis et al., 2012), and …

Utilization Of Sprint Interval Training In Intermittent Sports, Marcus David Garcia

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a powerful training method that involves short, maximal sprint efforts followed by brief recovery periods. This modality shares similar physical demands of intermittent sports, where athletes repeatedly transition between maximal exertion and submaximal efforts or rest. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of SIT on key performance metrics in intermittent sports, such as sprint speed, repeated sprint ability (RSA), aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power. SIT not only enhances anaerobic performance but also promotes adaptations like faster phosphocreatine resynthesis, increased glycolytic enzyme activity, and shifts in muscle fiber composition. These adaptations contribute …

Investigating The Role And Expression Of Aquaporin 10 Paralogs In Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias), Esosa Omoregie

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the selective transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes, playing essential roles in maintaining osmotic balance in vertebrates. Among them, aquaglyceroporins such as AQP10 are capable of transporting water, glycerol, and urea, contributing to osmoregulatory and metabolic processes. This study investigated the expression, localization, and potential physiological roles of two AQP10 paralogs, AQP10C1 and AQP10C2, in the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a marine elasmobranch that maintains osmotic equilibrium through urea retention and ion regulation. Using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry the study identified tissue-specific expression patterns of …

Testing The Life-History Dependence Of Dietary Restriction Effects On Oxidative Molecular Damage In Hornworms, Fahime Taheri

Masters Theses

DR and ambient temperature are two environmental factors widely implicated in shaping organismal maintenance and longevity through effects on metabolic rate and oxidative damage. This study tests whether DR and reduced body temperature independently or interactively reduce oxidative protein damage in the gut of tobacco hornworm larvae, a short-lived ectotherm whose life history may constrain typical DR responses. Larvae hatched from eggs were allocated to two feeding regimes (AL and DR) and to 20 °C and 30 °C. At a defined endpoint, guts dissected and homogenized, and analyzed for protein carbonyl content and total protein. Protein damage was expressed as …

Use Of Coelomic Fluid As A Noninvasive Indicator Of Reproductive Status In Elasmobranchs, Emily Sapp

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information on reproduction in elasmobranchs is important for the management and conservation of populations. However, the ability to obtain reliable data on elasmobranch reproduction without animal euthanasia is extremely limited. Therefore, there has been a call for nonlethal approaches for identifying reproductive status of elasmobranchs. Although useful, current techniques can be limited with respect to access to equipment and reliability of blood analyses. This study investigates whether a new noninvasive approach, the examination of coelomic fluid (CF), can provide a reliable indicator of reproductive status. CF is fluid that bathes the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, including ovaries, and …

Leucine Catabolism Is Associated With Longevity In Female Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers, Kerri R. Conklin

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background & Aims: Dietary isoleucine restriction can improve metabolic health and increase lifespan. It has been hypothesized that shifts in branched-chain amino acid catabolism drives this longevity effect. Impaired branched-chain amino acid catabolism is linked to several age-related diseases. We investigated whether dietary isoleucine restriction increases leucine catabolism and associates with longevity and full reproduction.

Methods: In two experiments, adult female Eastern Lubber grasshoppers (Romalea microptera) were assigned to either a high-quality diet (Balanced ile), or diets with varying isoleucine content (Moderate ile-R and Severe ile-R). In Experiment 1, we used a low-energy (Low Lettuce) group as a positive …

The Use Of Primal Reflex Release Technique To Address Pain And Stress: An Exploratory Case Series, Nathan R. Reep, Sydney N. Leverett, Rebecca M. Heywood, Zachary Johnson, Alan Nasypany, James May, Scott W. Cheatham

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The majority of the world population is experiencing more stress after the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in an outpatient healthcare setting it can be expected that patients will present with stress in combination with other perceptions of pain related to injury. Stress alone may be the cause of pain perception especially in patients who present with no specific mechanism of injury. There is a need for a quick full-body approach to assessment and treatment while considering the stress response to injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) Primals on …

College Student-Athlete Perceptions Of Characterizations And Interpersonal Trust In Their Athletic Trainer: A Point-Of-Care Research Study, Ryan N. Moran, Deidre Leaver-Dunn, Jeff Allen, Jessica Wallace

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Patient-centered care is essential in athletic training with limited research examining the relationship between patient and clinician. Previous theory has identified constructs of quality athletic trainers (ATs); however, it remains unknown how current athletes perceive these theorized constructs in the ATs providing them medical care. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of characterizations of a quality athletic trainer and interpersonal trust between the student-athlete and AT in the collegiate setting and establish reliability of these surveys. A second aim was to explore differences between sex, previous exposure to an AT, and having had access to an …

The Impact Of Video-Assisted Education On Knowledge And Retention Compared To Paper Education Material, Keiona M. Nance, Matthew J. Drescher, Lindsey E. Eberman, Matthew J. Rivera

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

When educating patients, clinicians must be effective to assure patients understand their treatment plan and abide by such to achieve optimal outcomes. Teaching methods that stimulate numerous senses more positively impact learning outcomes. The purpose of this study is to compare paper and video-assisted education at the point-of-care with the aim of changing patient education and local practice in a system for individuals undergoing total hip arthroplasties (THAs). We used a randomized cohort design to explore patient knowledge and retention and educational method at the point-of-care. We compared the current education method (paper) to video-assisted materials using pre and post-education …

Exploratory Clinical Assessment And Treatment Of Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation Post Concussion: A Case Study, Megan Coker, James May

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The physiological alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function due to concussion are suggested to play a role in persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Currently, there are few objective and clinically feasible measurements to assess ANS vitality in patients experiencing PPCS. The following case study details an assessment and treatment protocol targeted towards regulating the ANS in an adolescent female suffering from PPCS one month after injury. Pre-intervention, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess perceived pain, anxiety, stress, and breathing function were administered as well as a physical assessment performed for breath function and vagus nerve integrity. The patient was …

Comparing Mental Health Between Ncaa Division Iii Student-Athletes Competing In Team- And Individual-Sports, Autumn Presley, Tiffany Franklin, Jeffrey Williams

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Mental health is a topic that has gained attention in recent years, but few studies have examined NCAA Division III student-athletes. Division III student-athletes are known to experience high levels of distress, and previous literature indicates there may be a significant psychological difference between student-athletes who compete in individual-sports compared to those who participate in team-sports. The purpose of this study was to explore mental health challenges (levels of depression, stress, and anxiety symptoms) among Division III student-athletes, particularly between those participating in team- and individual-sports. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The independent variable was group (team-sport athletes and …