Physiology Commons^™

The Role Of T-Type Calcium Channels In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Cycle Regulation, Abigail Prier

Master's Theses

Results from previous experiments have provided evidence for T-type channel expression in adult pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) using electrophysiology and qRT-PCR. Studies have also shown that when T-type channels are blocked, either pharmacological or with small hairpin RNA targeted against T-type channel Cav3.1 subunit, mRNA levels are reduced and cell proliferation is inhibited. These results suggest a connection between T-type calcium channels and cell proliferation. In this thesis, Cav3.1 and its possible interplay with cyclin D, an early marker of the cell cycle, was investigated. The time course of cyclin D's translocation to the nucleus to begin the …

Expression And Regulation Of Osteopontin In The Diabetic Heart, Abigail Goodman

Dissertations

Diabetes leads to several alterations in cardiac structure, one of which is fibrosis of the ventricular myocardium. Myocardial fibrosis is a common underlying factor in most cardiac pathologies. Osteopontin (OPN) is a small phospho-protein that has been implicated in fibrotic tissue remodeling. In the heart, the expression of OPN protein is increased after acute and chronic pathologies. Upregulation of OPN coincides with a transition to heart failure and a direct role for OPN in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy to heart failure has been reported.

The overall objective of this project is to determine if OPN is upregulated in the …

A Systematic Approach For Engagement Analysis Under Multitasking Environments, Guangfan Zhang, John Leddo, Roger Xu, Carl Richey, Tom Schnell, Frederick Mckenzie, Jiang Li, Thomas E. Pinelli (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

An overload condition can lead to high stress for an operator and further cause substantial drops in performance. On the other extreme, in automated systems, an operator may become underloaded; in which case, it is difficult for the operator to maintain sustained attention. When an unexpected event occurs, either internal or external to the automated system, a disengaged operation may neglect, misunderstand, or respond slowly/inappropriately to the situation. In this paper, we discuss a systematic approach monitor for extremes of cognitive workload and engagement in multitasking environments. Inferences of cognitive workload and engagement are based on subjective evaluations, objective performance …

The Potential Role Of Innate Immunity In The Pathogenesis Of Post-Operative Adhesions, Jennell White

Wayne State University Dissertations

Post-operative adhesion development occurs in the vast majority of patients following abdominal surgery and is a natural occurrence of peritoneal-wound healing. These fibrous bands may form within the first 5-7 days post-surgery and have the ability to cause a distortion in the normal anatomical positioning of abdominal organs. Consequently, adhesions are major contributors to small bowel obstruction, infertility, and severe pelvic and abdominal pain. Physiological processes responsible for adhesion formation remain obscure though it is believed to involve cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of several cell types including mesothelial cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory and immune cells. Substances released from these …

Changes In The Expression Of Thin Filament-Associated Proteins In Colonic Smooth Muscle From Mice During Inflammation, Reem Alkahtani

Theses and Dissertations

The contractility of smooth muscle in inflammatory bowel disease and experimental colitis is reduced due to inhibition of neurotransmitter release and a decrease in the response of smooth muscle to contractile agonists. We and others have shown that inflammation induced by TNBS treatment alters the expression and/or activity of signaling molecules involved in the regulation of Ca2+ mobilization, MLC20 phosphorylation and contraction in colonic smooth muscle. Although, thin filament- associated proteins such as calponin, caldesmon, tropomyosin and smoothelin do not directly participate in contraction, they regulate acto-myosin interaction and thus, muscle contraction. Calponin, caldesmon and tropomyosin inhibit actomyosin interaction and …

Renal Epithelial Sodium Channel (Enac) Regulation Of Pregnancy Mediated Hemodynamic Adaptations: Mechanistic Insights, Crystal West

Theses and Dissertations

Pregnancy-mediated sodium (Na) retention is required to provide an increase in plasma volume for the growing fetus. The mechanisms responsible for this Na retention are not clear. In the first study, we generated a renal tubule protein profile indicating α ENaC as the only sodium transport protein upregulated in mid and late pregnancy. To determine the in vivo activity of ENaC we conducted in vivo studies in late pregnant rats (day 18-20) and virgin rats to measure the natriuretic response to ENaC blockade (with benzamil). The in vivo activity of ENaC (UNaV post benzamil - UNaV post vehicle) was markedly …

A Comparative Study Of Eucalanoid Copepods Residing In Different Oxygen Environments In The Eastern Tropical North Pacific: An Emphasis On Physiology And Biochemistry, Christine J. Cass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The eastern tropical north Pacific (ETNP) is characterized by one of the ocean's most severe midwater oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where oxygen levels are often less than 5 µM. The copepod family Eucalanidae is a numerically abundant and diverse zooplankton group in the ETNP, and displays a wide range of vertical distributions related to environmental oxygen concentrations. The goal of this dissertation was to develop a better understanding of the ecology, physiology, and biochemistry of closely related copepod species (family Eucalanidae) that inhabit the ETNP OMZ system. This was accomplished through examining different parameters relating to (1) metabolic rates, (2) …

Secreted Factors From Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Protect Oligodendrocytes From Ischemic Insult, Derrick Rowe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Oligodendrocytes (OL)s are the dominant cell type in the white matter and are integral for synaptic transmission essential for proper neuronal communication between brain areas. Previous studies have shown that intravenous administration of the mononuclear fraction of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells in rat models of stroke reduced white matter injury, gray matter injury and behavioral deficits. Yet the mechanisms used by HUCB cells remain unknown in ischemic injury. These studies will investigate both in vitro and in vivo approaches to elucidate this mechanism in OLs. When mature primary OLs were coincubated with HUCB cells, HUCB cells secreted soluble …

Systemic And Microcirculatory Effects Of Hboc-201: A Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier, Bjorn Song

Theses and Dissertations

Top-loading This study compared the effects on oxygen (O2) transport of four fluids: 5.9% human serum albumin (HSA) a non-O2 carrying iso-oncotic solution (volume control);HBOC-201 (Hemopure, Biopure Corp., Cambridge, MA); MP50, HBOC-201 with a P50 of 18 mmHg; and lastly LP50, an HBOC-201 with P50 of 17 mmHg and higher viscosity (4 cP). It has been proposed that HBOC with a higher O2 affinity and a viscosity closer to that of whole blood will cause less vasoconstriction and thus a lower MAP than Hemopure (P50 = 40 mmHg and 2.2 cP). Intravital microscopic measurements were made on the spinotrapezius muscle …

Promoting Awareness Of Healthy Eating And Physical Activity In Hispanic Women To Reduce Cancer Risk, Donaji Stelzig, Nathalie Folch, Norma Olvera

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. As the Latino population continues to increase, chronic diseases such as cancer and obesity will increase. Thus, the development of interventions that promote awareness of healthy eating and an active lifestyle among Latinos are greatly needed. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a community-based wellness intervention for Latino women in promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Method: Twenty-four Latino women between the ages 30-65 years participated in a eight-week intervention that included nutrition education focusing on nutrition labeling, selecting healthy food …

Community Support, School Health Programs, And Effective Management On Childhood Obesity, Ling Zhu, Breanca Thomas

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

No Abstract

Introducing “Symbolic Weightism”: Discourses Of Agency And Morality In Obesity Stigma, Meredith B. Stockton

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Title: INTRODUCING “SYMBOLIC WEIGHTISM”: DISCOURSES OF AGENCY AND MORALITY IN OBESITY STIGMA

Author: Meredith B. Stockton, MS

Affiliations: Institute of Social Psychology, London School of Economics and Political Science

Purpose: With the increasing obesity rates in the United States and the United Kingdom, the number of weight-based discrimination cases continues to rise. This study compares obesity stigma to racial stigma, a link first proposed by Crandall (1994), to frame weight-based discrimination as an equally legitimate and severe form of prejudice. Method: Using a social psychological perspective, a thematic and critical discourse analysis was conducted on 170 YouTube video comments and …

Community Based Nutritition Education: A Model For Raising Awareness Of Childhood Obesity, Selina M. Ahmed

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: Since 2003, Texas Southern University has coordinated conferences to educate Houston’s Third Ward community about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Presenters included faculty and students as speakers and activity coordinators. Participants indicated that these conferences are helpful in increasing awareness of health problems and the availability of community health resources. Purpose: To address the high rate of childhood obesity in Houston’s Third Ward and its costs in terms of health and long-term productivity on that community, faculty at Texas Southern University (TSU) coordinated annual conferences to educate community members about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Methods: Seven conferences intended …

Is There Less Access To Quality Grocery Stores In Minority And Poor Neighborhoods In Houston, Texas?, Chin-Hsing Chen, Lei Zhou, Deborah Banerjee, Monica Slentz

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: There has been an enormous increase in obesity and diet-related diseases in the past decade. Limited access to nutritious foods and easier access to unhealthy foods is believed to be among those at fault. However, access to healthy foods, although studied extensively, does not have a standard measure and is conceptualized in multiple ways by researchers. The relationships between availability of quality grocery store and the socio-demographic profile of the neighborhood are not well understood, particularly in an ethnically and socially diverse city, such as Houston. Our study aims to explore the relationships between distribution of small, medium or …

Engaging Latino Adolescent Girls In Physical Activity Intervention Planning In A Low-Income, Urban Environment, Laura A. Esparza, Daisy Y. Morales-Campos, Cynthia M. Mojica, Deborah Parra- Medina

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: Latino adolescent girls are less physically active than the general adolescent population, which puts them at increased risk for obesity and chronic disease. The Physical Activity Partnership for Girls (PG) uses a community-based participatory research approach to assess community needs and priorities related to physical activity (PA) behaviors of middle school girls living in low-income, urban sectors of San Antonio, Texas. Input was sought from girls, parents, and youth-serving agencies serving the community to inform the development of an innovative PA intervention utilizing low-cost, mobile technology (texting) and social media that will be delivered through Girl Scout troops. We …

Know Your Audience: Designing A Nutrition Education Game For Middle School Kids, Vinod Srinivasan, Lars Doucet, Christine Shimek, Cynthia A. Warren, Carol J. Spaulding, Kimberly Paulhill, Catherine J. Mcneal, John David Coppin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: In recent years video games have emerged as potential tools to tackle obesity. Games that use motion-sensing controllers and interfaces are often used to promote physical activity. Games are also used to impart education about diet, nutrition and health. Our goal in this project is to address childhood obesity through the design, development and implementation of a video game to teach nutrition concepts to middle-school-aged children.

Method: Our target audience is middle-school students in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas. To guide us in the game design, we collected data about students’ gaming preferences through surveys, focus groups and student …

A Community-Academic Partnership To Improve Access To Healthy Foods In Low-Income Communities, Heather Kitzman-Ulrich, Mark Dehaven, Cindy Romero, Nicole Beltran

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: Access to healthy foods is often limited in low-income communities and prevents the adoption of a healthy diet needed to meet national dietary recommendations, reduce chronic disease, and prevent obesity. The Healthy Harvest Community Gardening Partnership is a community-based participatory research program between faith-based organizations, academic institutions, local philanthropy, and other non-profit institutions, created in 2009 for improving access to healthy foods and quality of life through a community garden network. Methods: Healthy Harvest uses a social ecological framework combining individual, interpersonal, and community level influences into a single program, and employs a train-the-trainer approach for providing expertise in …

Middle School Students’ Understanding Of Calories, Energy Expenditure And The Nutrition Facts Panel, John D. Coppin, Catherine J. Mcneal, Carol J. Spaulding, Cynthia A. Warren, Vinod Srinivasan, Christine Shimek, Kimberly Paulhill, Lars Doucet

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

TORC Abstract

Exercise Attenuates Weight Gain And Fat Accumulation In Cd1- Mice Consuming A High-Fat Diet, Whitney L. Breslin, Kelley Strohacker, Katie C. Carpenter, Nadia H. Agha, Thomas W. Lowder, Brian K. Mcfarlin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: Exercise training, in combination with a healthful diet, is a reliable method of weight loss or weight maintenance. It is unknown whether an exercise training program would sufficiently attenuate weight gain during chronic consumption of a high-fat diet. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of an aerobic exercise training program to prevent excessive weight gain both before and during consumption of a high-fat diet in CD-1 male mice. Methods: Mice were divided into four groups (N=10 mice/group): 4-weeks of treadmill running followed by 6-weeks sedentary (EX-SD), 4-weeks sedentary followed by 6 weeks of …

The Effects Of Increasing Fat Intake On Body Composition And Blood Monocytes In Cd-1 Mice, Kelley Strohacker, Whitney L. Breslin, Katie C. Carpenter, Nadia Agha, Thomas W. Lowder, Brian K. Mcfarlin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose Obesity is a chronic, inflammatory state. Blood monocyte concentrations/proportions have been previously used to assess immune inflammatory status in humans. Although mouse monocytes exist in three subsets, shifts among these cells types have not been documented during a period of diet-induced weight gain. Thus, our purpose was to determine longitudinal changes in mouse monocyte subsets during 12 weeks of low, moderate or high-fat feeding. Methods: 40 CD-1 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (N=10 per group): stock control (13.5% fat, CN), 30% fat (F30), 45% fat (F45) and 60% fat (F60). Non-lethal, saphenous vein blood samples (~70 μL) …