Physiology Commons^™

Seasonal Climate And Environmental Conditions Associated With Physiological Variations Of Southwestern United States Pines, Taylor Brewer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Juvenile and adult conifers in the southwestern United States are vulnerable to a range of different abiotic and biotic factors, yet it is unclear how their stress tolerance varies across environments. Predicted increases in the frequency and intensity of disturbance as well as greater climate and weather variability across the region highlight the potential for differential physiological responses across tree species and populations. This thesis focuses on two physiologic mechanisms, hydraulic vulnerability and mortality, that could be altered by climate change in two broadly distributed southwestern United States conifers: ponderosa pine and pinyon pine.

In chapter 2, I measured the …

Affective Temperaments And Personality Traits In Couple Well-Being, Carmela Mento, Chiara La Barbiera, Maria Catena Silvestri, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Clemente Cedro, Antonio Bruno, Gianluca Pandolfo, Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Clara Lombardo

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. The objective of this study is to establish the link between affective temperament traits and maladaptive personality traits, to verify whether the potential presence of elements related to emotional, affective and dysfunctional relational functioning can affect the couple satisfaction, modifying the well-being or discomfort condition. Materials and Methods. A data collection questionnaire was developed to investigate the factors associated with dysfunctional emotional, affective, and relational modes of functioning. The sample consisted of 473 subjects. Data were collected including the TEMPS-A questionnaire, The Dirty Dozen Italian Assessment and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Results. The findings of this study showed …

Plastid Translation As A Developmental Checkpoint? Plastid Ribosomal Protein Emb27 Is Required For Maize Embroyogenesis, Janlo M. Robil

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pathogenesis And Therapeutic Considerations For Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Elijah Chung

Senior Honors Theses

A product of the Westernized, high-fat diet, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the leading cause of chronic liver disease, affecting one-fourth of the world's population. NAFLD is a progressive disease arising from a multisystem response to excess lipids in the blood, adipose tissue, and liver. Despite the prevalence of NAFLD and its well-studied bidirectional association with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, there is a shocking scarcity of available treatments aside from diet and lifestyle changes. Thus, further research on NAFLD and potential therapies is urgently needed. This paper will illustrate the major pathways associated …

The Effects Of A Guided Mindful Walk On Mental Health In University Students, Ashley V. Burdick, Sarah M. Camhi

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 590-601, 2024. College campuses in the United States are experiencing high levels of mental distress without adequate psychological resources to address the need. In addition, the majority of university students do not meet the physical activity guidelines for mental and physical health. Effective and time efficient resources are needed to address poor mental health and low physical activity among university students on college campuses. Mindful walking may be a promising solution. The purpose was to 1) measure change in mental health and 2) estimate physical activity from participation in a guided mindful walk in …

Comparison Of Self-Reported Physical Activity And Wearable Device-Xiaomi Mi2 Band In Preadolescent School Children-A Pilot Crossesctional Study, Aysha Almas, Shiraz Hashmi, Adil Elahi, Om Parkash, Sania Sabir, Romaina Iqbal

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(7): 565-575, 2024. The purpose of this study is to compare physical activity measured by the wearable device Xiaomi Mi2 Band and self-reported physical activity by YPAQ in preadolescent school children. A pilot cross-sectional study was performed on a subsample (5%=n=60) of preadolescent children within a parallel-group feasibility intervention trial (n=1000). All children aged 9-11 years enrolled in the schools were included in the study and children with any physical disability were excluded. Self-reported physical activity was recorded through the modified version of the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ) and automatic physical activity was measured …

Effects Of Resistance Training Techniques On Metabolic Responses In Trained Males, Alysson Enes, Ragami Chaves Alves, Vinicius Zen, Danilo Fonseca Leonel, Gustavo Oneda, Luis H. B. Ferreira, Luciano R. Guiraldelli, Roberto Simão, Guillermo Escalante, Anderson Z. Ulbrich, Tácito P. Souza-Junior

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 576-589, 2024. This study investigated the effects of bi-set, drop-set and traditional resistance training (RT) techniques on metabolic responses in resistance-trained males. Fifteen trained males (age 29.7 ± 6.1 years; body mass 83.4 ± 7.6 kg; RT experience 11.4 ± 6.7 years; one-repetition maximum (1RM) barbell bench press: body mass ratio 1.4 ± 0.1 a.u.) were assigned to three experimental conditions, in a randomized crossover design. The experimental conditions were bi-set (3x10 repetitions at 70%1RM in barbell bench press followed by 10 repetitions at 60%1RM in incline bench press), drop-set (3x10 repetitions at …

Physiological Processes During Reading, Elizabeth Morrey, Emma Smith, Catherine Bohn-Gettler, Jennifer Schaefer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

There are many different variables that can impact reading comprehension, such as reading level, emotional state, and the content of the text itself. For example, if a text contains inconsistencies (e.g., when a key moment in the text does not align with the information presented earlier in the story), processing slows as readers attempt to resolve the inconsistency. However, little is known about the connection between processing inconsistent versus consistent passages and physiological responses in the body. The goal of this study is to examine whether reading narrative texts containing inconsistent and/or consistent information elicits sympathetic nervous system activation, as …

Cultivating Excellence: A Literature Review On Harnessing The Power Of The Gut Microbiome For Athletic Performance, Maya Katharine Dean

Honors Projects

The interplay between our gut microbiome and health is immense. This literature review analyzes the current research assessing the interplay between gut microbiome and athletic performance. Knowing how to improve gut microbial diversity via nutrition and supplementation can take athletic performance to the next level; namely improvements in immune, mental, and physical health.

The Effectiveness And Perceptions Of Three Moderate Intensity Walking Cadence Aids And Their Effects On Affective States: A Mixed Methods Study, Daniel Brown, Phillip Gray, Julie Doherty, Ellen Ea Simpson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 531-550, 2024. Substantial health benefits can be derived from walking at a moderate intensity cadence. To help regulate this cadence, three distinct aids exist 1) self-perception; 2) cadence prescription; 3) auditory cues. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and explore perceptions of these aids to promote moderate intensity walking and effects on affective states, thereby addressing an important research gap. Individualised moderate relative intensity waking cadence was determined for participants (n = 23, M_age = 26.35, SD = 10.11). A convergent mixed-methods design was employed. A within-persons repeated measures design was used …

The Immediate Effects Of Dry Cupping The Lumbar Paraspinals On Range Of Motion And Temperature, Natasha Scavarelli, Paolo Sanzo

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 551-564, 2024. Dry cupping is a therapeutic modality proposed to produce a negative pressure, stretching the skin and underlying tissue. This mechanism is said to promote regional blood flow of oxygenated blood and causing a physiological stretch in the tissue, allowing it to elongate and potentially changing skin temperature. The possible effects of the application to the lumbar spine paraspinal muscles, however, has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the immediate effects of dry cupping the lumbar paraspinals on lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) and overlying …

Nutrient Intake, Performance, And Body Composition Of Preseason Wrestlers, Gregory-James Coapstick, Allison Barry, Crystal Levesque, Marni Shoemaker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 517-530, 2024. College athletes, especially in weight class sports, often experience energy deficits. Athletes competing in weight class sports such as wrestling are at greatest risk for deficiencies and little is known about the relationships between body composition, nutrient intake, and performance in these athletes. The purposes of this study were to (1) quantify macronutrient and micronutrient intake of pre-season male collegiate wrestlers and compare to estimated needs, and (2) examine relationships among nutritional intakes, body composition, and performance measurements of strength and anaerobic capacity. Male Division I wrestlers (n = 11, age: …

Influence Of Ambient Temperature On Autonomic Nerve Function And Peripheral Sensation From Moderate-Intensity Treadmill Exercise, Sunao Wada, Mh Mahbub, Natsu Yamaguchi, Ryosuke Hase, Tsuyoshi Tanabe

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 491-503, 2024. Objective: The main objective was to ascertain the acute responses in autonomic nervous activity and peripheral sensation induced by moderate-intensity treadmill exercise performed under different ambient temperatures. Methods: Twelve young healthy subjects underwent three sessions of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (warming, 5 min and running, 25 min), on different days under 10°C, 20°C and 30°C room temperatures. Pre- and post-intervention, heart rate variability (HRV) and plantar vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) were measured. Additionally, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded after intervention. Results: In comparison with the corresponding baseline values, after intervention, low …

Progressive Arm Cycling Ergometry With 3- And 5-Minute Stage Durations Yields Similar Estimates Of Substrate Oxidation In Healthy Adults, Todd A. Astorino Ph.D, Zachary Jordan, Cristian Gonzales, Carly Schuerger, Muhammed M. Atakan

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 468-479, 2024. Arm cycling ergometry (ACE) leads to a lower maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) than cycling which is related to a smaller active muscle mass. This study compared estimates of fat and carbohydrate oxidation (FOx and CHOOx) between progressive exercise protocols varying in stage duration in an attempt to create a standard exercise protocol for determining substrate metabolism using ACE. Four men and seven women (age = 24 ± 9 yr) unfamiliar with ACE completed incremental exercise to determine peak power output and VO₂peak. During two subsequent sessions completed after …

Influence Of Physical Activity Including Squat Exposure On Trunk Muscle Strength And Labour Outcome In Pregnant Women, Rajal Savla, Rajani Mullerpatan, Bela Agarwal, Victoria Kuttan, Sushil Kumar

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 504-516, 2024. Daily living physical activities of rural pregnant women, across most continents in the world, involve adoption of high-flexion postures like deep-squat. Deep-squat elicits substantial activation of major trunk and lower extremity muscles. Adequate strength of trunk muscles is known to facilitate forward-downward propulsion of baby during labour. Therefore, current study aimed to explore influence of overall physical activity including squat exposure on trunk and lower-extremity muscle strength and labour outcomes in rural and urban primigravida women. Twenty-eight primi-gravida women were stratified into 2 groups: rural habitual-squatters (n=14) and urban non-squatters (n=14). Daily …

The Quantification Of Muscle Activation During The Loaded Carry Movement Pattern, Samuel H. Ellestad, Thomas P. Holcomb, Alexis M. Swiergol, Michael E. Holmstrup Phd, Jeremy R. Dicus

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 480-490, 2024. The ‘loaded carry’ is a popular resistance training activity that activates core musculature across multiple movement planes while the body is in locomotion. ‘Hold’ exercises are similar to carry exercises but lack the locomotive aspect. Both carry and hold exercises can be completed bilaterally (farmer’s carry (FC) and hold (FH)) or unilaterally (suitcase carry (SC) and hold (SH)). A deeper understanding of muscle activation between the FC and SC and intensity-matched FH and SH might improve their application. Healthy, college-aged individuals were recruited and surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis (RA), external …

Gut Microbial Dysbiosis Differs In Two Distinct Cachectic Tumor-Bearing Models Consuming The Same Diet, Lauri O. Byerley, Brittany Lorenzen, Hsiao Man Chang, William G. Hartman, Michael J. Keenan, Ryan Page, Meng Luo, Scot E. Dowd, Christopher M. Taylor

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The impact of cancer cachexia on the colonic microbiota is poorly characterized. This study assessed the effect of two cachectic-producing tumor types on the gut microbiota to determine if a similar dysbiosis could be found. In addition, it was determined if a diet containing an immunonutrient-rich food (walnuts) known to promote the growth of probiotic bacteria in the colon could alter the dysbiosis and slow cachexia. Male Fisher 344 rats were randomly assigned to a semi-purified diet with or without walnuts. Then, within each diet group, rats were further assigned randomly to a treatment group: tumor-bearing ad libitum fed (TB), …

The Effects Of Lower Leg Compression Garments On Lower Extremity Sports Injuries, Subjective Fatigue And Biomechanical Variables: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Thierry P.C. Franke, Hetty Hofstede, Anke Van Den Broek, Bionka M.A. Huisstede Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 445-467, 2024. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effect of CGs versus non-CGs (such as regular socks) or versus placebo garments on 1) the incidence of lower extremity sports injuries and 2) subjective ratings of fatigue and biomechanical variables in athletes at participating in any sport that required any level of running performance, given that fatigue-related biomechanical alterations may increase the risk of sports injuries. This study was a systematic review with meta-analyses. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus were searched for eligible studies until 7 …

Exercise-Induced Myc As An Epigenetic Reprogramming Factor That Combats Skeletal Muscle Aging, Ronald G. Jones Iii, Ferdinand Von Walden, Kevin A. Murach

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Of the “Yamanaka factors” Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM), the transcription factor c-Myc (Myc) is the most responsive to exercise in skeletal muscle and is enriched within the muscle fiber. We hypothesize that the pulsatile induction of MYC protein after bouts of exercise can serve to epigenetically reprogram skeletal muscle toward a more resilient and functional state.

Dissecting The Tissue-Specific Contributions To Seizures, Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction, And Sudden Death In The Kv1.1 Mouse Model Of Epilepsy Using Conditional Knockout Approaches, Kelsey Paulhus

Biological Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), the primary cause of mortality in epilepsy, remains poorly understood. Studies suggest seizures may trigger dangerous signals affecting the heart and lungs leading to collapse and death. The Kv1.1 deficiency mouse model mirrors clinical SUDEP cases, showing spontaneous seizures, cardiorespiratory issues, and premature death. However, this model lacks regional specificity in Kv1.1 deletion, hindering insights into SUDEP’s mechanisms and anatomical substrates.

This dissertation employs three distinct conditional knockout (cKO) techniques to investigate the individual roles for the forebrain, brainstem, and heart in SUDEP related phenotypes. The findings reveal that the forebrain alone can trigger …