Concurrent Visual Feedback, Practice Organization, And Spatial Aiming Accuracy In Rapid Movement Sequences,
2010
University of Colorado at Boulder
Concurrent Visual Feedback, Practice Organization, And Spatial Aiming Accuracy In Rapid Movement Sequences, David E. Sherwood‡, Brian Duffell*
International Journal of Exercise Science
Int J Exerc Sci 3(2) : 78-91, 2010. While the availability of visual feedback is a well-known factor influencing the accuracy of rapid aiming movements, little is known about how vision might interact with a contextual variable like practice organization. In the current study, the interaction of concurrent visual feedback (CVF) and practice organization on aiming movement accuracy was investigated in the dominant limb of 40 college-aged participants. Participants performed “triplets” of rapid aiming movements with a lightweight lever in the sagittal plane involving short (20°), medium (40°), long (60°) distances and were randomly assigned to one of four groups …
Redox Status Affects The Catalytic Activity Of Glutamyl-Trna Synthetase,
2010
Universidad de Chile
Redox Status Affects The Catalytic Activity Of Glutamyl-Trna Synthetase, Assaf Katz, Ranat Banerjee, Merly De Armas, Michael Ibba, Omar Orellana
Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research
Glutamyl-tRNA synthetases (GluRS) provide Glu-tRNA for different processes including protein synthesis, glutamine transamidation and tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. Many organisms contain multiple GluRSs, but whether these duplications solely broaden tRNA specificity or also play additional roles in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis is not known. Previous studies have shown that GluRS1, one of two GluRSs from the extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, is inactivated when intracellular heme is elevated suggesting a specific role for GluRS1 in the regulation of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. We now show that, in vitro, GluRS1 activity is reversibly inactivated upon oxidation by hemin and hydrogen peroxide. The targets for oxidation-based inhibition were …
Isolation Of The Cytosolic C-Terminus Segment Of Mammalian Kca Channel A Subunit,
2010
Loma Linda University
Isolation Of The Cytosolic C-Terminus Segment Of Mammalian Kca Channel A Subunit, Wilton Remigio
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects
The last 20 years of research into ion channels has unraveled unexpected features of the BKca channel as a rheostast for cell activity in excitable tissues and homeostatically fine tuning many biological activation processes in the cell. Great attention has been dedicated to the allosteric regulatory mecanisms by which the BKca channel is activated or inhibited. Most of these mechanisms point to the involvment of cytoplasmic, C-terminal, ‘tail’ domain of the channel. Many laboratories have cloned portions of the ‘tail’ domain in an attempt to to study specific regulatory sites. Very little is known about the BK ‘tail’ …
Mechanisms Of Dha Neuroprotection From Pa Induced Lipotoxieity,
2010
Loma Linda University
Mechanisms Of Dha Neuroprotection From Pa Induced Lipotoxieity, Frankis G. Almaguel
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects
Initially in our study, we evaluated the effect of PA on NGF Differentiated PC 12 cells at concentrations levels that mimic pathological conditions. PA exposure resulted to be toxic to NGFDPC12 cells. PA treatment decreased cell viability and triggered cell death with apparent apoptotic features. Further morphological studies revealed the classical features of apoptosis response; including cell shrinking, cell blebbing, chromatin and nucleus condensation (Kerr et al. 1972). Our findings in summary, suggest that FFA-induced lipotoxicity requires full activation of PA, targeting the mitochondria, leading to membrane potential disruption and up-regulation of reactive oxygen free radicals. PA-induced-lipotoxicity decreased cell viability …
Behavior And Physiology Of Hermit Crabs During Burial: Shell Abandonment And Lactate Accumulation,
2010
Loma Linda University
Behavior And Physiology Of Hermit Crabs During Burial: Shell Abandonment And Lactate Accumulation, Janelle Allison Shives
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects
Organisms living in the intertidal zone must adapt to environmental and physical stressors. One physical stressor that these organisms may face, and that may require specific behavioral and physiological responses, is burial by sediment. In this thesis I report the results of experiments in which I subjected the intertidal hermit crab, Pagurus samuelis, to burial and analyzed aspects of subsequent behavior and physiology. In the first set of experiments, hermit crabs were buried with the shell aperture facing either up or down, and at one of three depths (2, 4, or 6 cm). The factors hermit crab weight, shell …
Poisonous Rangeland Plants In San Luis Obispo County,
2010
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Poisonous Rangeland Plants In San Luis Obispo County, Sara Litten, Amanda Ou
Animal Science
Poisonous Rangeland Plants in San Luis Obispo County is a comprehensive educational guide to rangeland plants that are toxic to domestic livestock. This guide begins with an exploration of how the biological systems are affected by the poisonous plant toxins. The biochemistry behind these toxins is included in the discussion. Next, reference material for fourteen plants that inhabit San Luis Obispo County is provided. This information includes specific toxins found in poisonous plants, affected animals, symptoms of poisoning, stages of growth, lethal dose, and distribution of the plant in California. This section of the guide is filled with helpful photos …
Role Of Capsule In The Interaction Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis With Host,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Role Of Capsule In The Interaction Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis With Host, Amrita Singh
Theses and Dissertations
Periodontal disease is a chronic oral disease that is triggered by bacteria. One of these bacteria is Porphyromonas gingivalis. Some strains of P. gingivalis produce capsule, however, so far the role of capsule in the interactions with host cells in P. gingivalis is not well understood. Here, we investigated the contribution of capsule to triggering host response as well as its protective role on bacterial internalization by host cells with subsequent killing. qRT-PCR analysis showed more upregulation of expression of various groups of genes in macrophages challenged with the non-capsulated strain than in those challenged with the capsulated one with …
Signaling Pathways Coupled To Melatonin Receptor Mt1 In Gastric Smooth Muscle,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Signaling Pathways Coupled To Melatonin Receptor Mt1 In Gastric Smooth Muscle, Rashad Ahmed
Theses and Dissertations
The Melatonin, a close derivative of serotonin, is involved in physiological regulation of circadian rhythms. In the gastrointestinal (GI) system, melatonin exhibits endocrine, paracrine and autocrine actions and is implicated in the regulation of GI motility. Generally, melatonin actions oppose the stimulatory actions of serotonin on motility. However, it is not known whether melatonin can also act directly on GI smooth muscle cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of melatonin receptors in smooth muscle and identify their signaling pathways. Muscle cells were isolated from rabbit distal stomach by enzymatic digestion, filtration and centrifugation and …
The Clinical Utility Of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing In Patients With Suspected Myocardial Ischemia,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
The Clinical Utility Of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing In Patients With Suspected Myocardial Ischemia, Sherry Pinkstaff
Theses and Dissertations
Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States with coronary artery disease (CAD) representing more than half of all cardiovascular events. Stable patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of CAD are likely to undergo either an exercise ECG and/or imaging study as a first line diagnostic assessment. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) is an ECG stress test plus ventilatory gas analysis. Recently CPX has been used to detect exercise-induced myocardial ischemia suggestive of underlying CAD. Currently there are a number of diagnostic tests available for the identification of CAD with the most widely used being …
Cannabinoid-Mediated Inhibition Of Recurrent Excitatory Circuitry In The Dentate Gyrus In A Mouse Model Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy,
2010
University of Kentucky
Cannabinoid-Mediated Inhibition Of Recurrent Excitatory Circuitry In The Dentate Gyrus In A Mouse Model Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Muthu D. Bhaskaran, Bret N. Smith
Physiology Faculty Publications
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a neurological condition associated with neuron loss, axon sprouting, and hippocampal sclerosis, which results in modified synaptic circuitry. Cannabinoids appear to be anti-convulsive in patients and animal models of TLE, but the mechanisms of this effect are not known. A pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus mouse model of TLE was used to study the effect of cannabinoid agonists on recurrent excitatory circuits of the dentate gyrus using electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices isolated from control mice and mice with TLE. Cannabinoid agonists WIN 55,212-2, anandamide (AEA), or 2-arachydonoylglycerol (2-AG) reduced the frequency of spontaneous and tetrodotoxin-resistant excitatory …
Opioid Addiction And Pregnancy: Potential Effects Of Substitution Therapies On Developmental Myelination,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Opioid Addiction And Pregnancy: Potential Effects Of Substitution Therapies On Developmental Myelination, Andrew Eschenroeder
Theses and Dissertations
While most cells of the central nervous system (CNS) express opioid receptors, the role of the endogenous opioid system in CNS development remains poorly understood. Identification of opioid functions during brain maturation is particularly crucial in light of the increasing trend in opioid abuse and the use of opioid drugs during pregnancy. New substitution therapies in pregnant opioid addicts include buprenorphine, a mu opioid receptor partial agonist and kappa opioid receptor antagonist. However, while clinical studies demonstrated buprenorphine efficacy in reducing neonatal withdrawal symptoms, there is a lack of information on the potential effects of this drug on brain development. …
Acid-Sensing Ion Channels And Pain,
2010
University of Kentucky
Acid-Sensing Ion Channels And Pain, Qihai Gu, Lu-Yuan Lee
Physiology Faculty Publications
Pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, ischemia, infection and tissue injury can all evoke pain, and each is accompanied by local acidosis. Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels expressed in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Increasing evidence suggests that ASICs represent essential sensors for tissue acidosis-related pain. This review provides an update on the role of ASICs in pain sensation and discusses their therapeutic potential for pain management.
Effect Of Hyaluronidase Treatment On The Structural Integrity Of The Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Effect Of Hyaluronidase Treatment On The Structural Integrity Of The Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer, Kristin Simmons
Theses and Dissertations
The endothelial glycocalyx plays an important role as part of the permeability barrier between the blood and the interstitium. In this study, we used different sized fluorescently labeled dextran molecules to determine the size of the macromolecular exclusion zone in capillaries. The width of the exclusion zone was calculated as one half the difference between the anatomic luminal diameter, as determined by transillumination, and the width of a fluorescent dextran column. During the first hour after systemic injection of labeled dextrans, neither 70 kDa dextran (Dextran 70) nor 500 kDa dextran (Dextran 500) labeled with the anionic fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) …
Changes In Mirna Expression In A Model Of Microcephaly,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Changes In Mirna Expression In A Model Of Microcephaly, Shan Parikh
Honors Scholar Theses
miRNAs function to regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional mechanisms to potentially regulate multiple aspects of physiology and development. Whole transcriptome analysis has been conducted on the citron kinase mutant rat, a mutant that shows decreases in brain growth and development. The resulting differences in RNA between mutant and wild-type controls can be used to identify genetic pathways that may be regulated differentially in normal compared to abnormal neurogenesis. The goal of this thesis was to verify, with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), changes in miRNA expression in Cit-k mutants and wild types. In addition to confirming miRNA expression …
Investigating The Diversity Of Radial Glia Fates In The Rat Neocortex,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Investigating The Diversity Of Radial Glia Fates In The Rat Neocortex, Abraham William Aron
Honors Scholar Theses
Radial Glia (RG) are a mitotically active population of cells which reside within the ventricular zone at the lateral ventricle and give rise to the pyramidal neurons and astrocytes of the neocortex. Through cellular divisions, RG produce two daughter cells, one which resides in the ventricular zone and becomes another RG while the other is an immature progenitor which migrates away from the ventricle and populates the growing cortex. RG have been found to be a heterogeneous population of cells which express different surface antigens and genetic promoters which may influence the cellular fate of their progeny. In this study …
Alterations In The Cellular Composition Of The Mouse Bladder Following Ovariectomy, Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction, And Aging,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Alterations In The Cellular Composition Of The Mouse Bladder Following Ovariectomy, Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction, And Aging, Diane Holly Smith
Honors Scholar Theses
Detrusor underactivity (DU) increases susceptibility to urinary retention and accordingly further complicates the management of urinary incontinence. Bladder muscle stretch, a lack of estrogen, and aging are 3 notable DU risk factors. The aim of this research is to better characterize the changes in cellular composition of the bladder that result from these 3 risk factors to gain a better understanding of DU pathogenesis and pathobiology. This research focuses on the effects of a lack of estrogen while also providing an outline for determining the effects of bladder muscle stretch and aging on the cellular composition of the bladder.
Oxygen Supplementing, Biocompatible Outer Membranes For Enhanced Performance Of Implantable Glucose Sensors,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Oxygen Supplementing, Biocompatible Outer Membranes For Enhanced Performance Of Implantable Glucose Sensors, Hardeep Singh
Honors Scholar Theses
Lack of linearity and sensitivity, oxygen dependence, biofouling and tissue inflammation hinder the development of implantable biosensors for continuous monitoring of glucose. Herein, we report the development of stacked outer membranes based on LBL/PVA hydrogels that improve sensor sensitivity, linearity, oxygen independence and counter biofouling and inflammation. While the inner LBL membrane affords tunable diffusivity, the outer PVA is capable of releasing anti-inflammatory drugs/tissue response modifying agents to counter acute and chronic inflammation, and to induce neo-angiogenesis at the implant site. Sensors were fabricated by immobilizing GOx enzyme on top of 50 μm platinum wires, followed by deposition of stacked …
Comparative Morphometrics Of The Sacral Vertebra In Aneides (Caudata: Plethodontidae).,
2010
East Tennessee State University
Comparative Morphometrics Of The Sacral Vertebra In Aneides (Caudata: Plethodontidae)., Lisa Nicole Schaaf
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The genus Aneides (Caudata: Plethodontidae) is an arboreal salamander with a prehensile tail and a distribution that spans North America. It is hypothesized that adaptations for arboreality will be visible in the osteology of the sacral vertebra either by qualitative analysis or linear and morphometric analysis in comparison with other plethodontid salamanders. This study demonstrates that while qualitative and quantitative analyses are successful at making genus-level distinctions between taxa, identification to lower taxonomic levels remains inconclusive. Linear morphometrics and dorsal Procrustes landmarks were the most successful metrics to identify known taxa. Two unidentified fossil salamander sacral vertebrae from Oregon Caves …
Role Of Neutrophils In Enhancing Vascular Reactivity To Angiotensin Ii In Preeclampsia,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Role Of Neutrophils In Enhancing Vascular Reactivity To Angiotensin Ii In Preeclampsia, Nikita Mishra
Theses and Dissertations
Women with preeclampsia have enhanced vascular reactivity to Angiotensin II (Ang II) and extensive vascular infiltration of neutrophils. The primary mechanism to enhance vessel reactivity is RhoA kinase that phosphorylates MYPT1 to inhibit myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase. Therefore, MLCs remain phosphorylated and increase sensitivity to calcium. Neutrophils release reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can activate this pathway, so we hypothesized that neutrophils would enhance vessel reactivity to Ang II. Omental vessels from normal pregnant women were used to study vascular reactivity. Ang II dose response (0.001-10µM) was significantly enhanced with perfusion of neutrophils (<2000/mm3, activated with IL-8) or ROS. Addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD)/Catalase to quench ROS or 3µM Y-27632, a specific RhoA kinase inhibitor, blocked enhancement. Vascular smooth muscle expression of pMYPT1 and pMLC in cell culture was significantly increased by neutrophils or ROS. The increase was prevented by Y-27632. RhoA kinase activity assay showed a 3-fold increase in RhoA kinase activity in omental vessels treated with ROS. Similarly, ROS also enhanced vessel reactivity to another vasoconstrictor, norepinephrine, via RhoA kinase. In preeclamptic women, increased neutrophil infiltration is associated with increased vascular expression and production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). MMP-1 activates protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), which could cause endothelial endothelin-1 release, so we considered a novel hypothesis that MMP-1 might cause vasoconstriction and enhance vessel reactivity to Ang II via PAR-1. Omental vessels perfused with activated MMP-1 (0.025-25ng/ml) showed dose-dependent vasoconstriction. Perfusion of activated MMP-1 (2.5ng/ml) significantly enhanced dose response to angiotensin II. MMP-1 mediated vasoconstriction and enhanced vessel reactivity to Ang II was abolished by co-perfusion of 10µM SCH-79797, a specific PAR-1 blocker, and by 5µM BQ-123, a specific endothelin-1 type A receptor blocker. These data are the first to show that activated neutrophils enhance vascular reactivity to Ang II via ROS and the RhoA kinase pathway. They are also the first to show that MMP-1 induces vasoconstriction and enhances vessel reactivity to Ang II. Thus, vascular neutrophil infiltration leading to ROS and MMP-1 generation could be an important mechanism for hypertension in preeclampsia.
Scribble: A Potential Dual Kinase Inhibitor,
2010
Virginia Commonwealth University
Scribble: A Potential Dual Kinase Inhibitor, Steven Christofakis
Theses and Dissertations
Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) modulate cellular activities in response to extracellular stimuli and play important biological roles. Thus, perturbed kinase pathways induce pathological conditions, such as tumor development. Rit, a novel member of the Ras family GTPases, activase ERK6, and its over-expression confers tumorigenicity. We hypothesized the presence of scaffolding molecules specific to ERK6, similar to other known MAP kinases. We performed yeast two-hybrid assays using ERK6 as bait, and Scribble was identified as a binding partner. Scribble contains 16 LRR domains and four PDZ domains. We performed immunoprecipitation (IP) assays and discovered ERK2 as another binding partner. Surprisingly, no …
